What is the Difference Between Innate Immunity and Acquired Immunity?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between innate immunity and acquired immunity lies in their origin, specificity, and response time. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Origin: Innate immunity is inborn and present from birth due to genetic or constitutional factors, while acquired immunity develops during the course of life as an individual is exposed to diseases or receives vaccinations.
- Specificity: Innate immunity is non-specific, meaning it does not differentiate between types of pathogens and provides a general response to any foreign substance. Acquired immunity, on the other hand, is specific and responds to specific antigens.
- Response Time: Innate immunity is immediate and serves as the body's first line of defense against pathogens. Acquired immunity takes time to develop (days to weeks) and is considered the second line of defense if pathogens pass through the innate immunity.
- Immunological Memory: Innate immunity does not have a memory, meaning it reacts with equal potency upon repeated exposure to the same pathogen. Acquired immunity has a memory, and the presence of memory cells triggers a faster and more potent response when re-exposed to the same pathogen.
In summary, innate immunity is a non-specific, inborn defense mechanism that acts immediately against foreign substances, while acquired immunity is a specific, adaptive response that develops during an individual's lifetime and has a memory for previous exposures to pathogens.
Comparative Table: Innate Immunity vs Acquired Immunity
Here is a table summarizing the differences between innate immunity and acquired immunity:
Characteristic | Innate Immunity | Acquired Immunity |
---|---|---|
Definition | Inborn resistance against infections present right from birth | Resistance to infecting foreign substances acquired during life |
Specificity | Non-specific | Specific |
Response Type | Fast and general effectiveness | Slower and specialized effectiveness |
Length of Efficacy | Lifelong | Short-term, long-term, lifelong |
Inheritance | Can be inherited | Cannot be inherited |
Immunological Memory | Absent | Present |
Potency | Limited and lower potency | High potency |
First Line of Defense | Yes | No, acts as a secondary line of defense |
Exposure to Antigen | Prior exposure to the antigen is not required | Requires exposure to a foreign substance |
Presence at Birth | Present | Develops during a person's lifetime |
Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense against pathogens and is present at birth, while acquired immunity is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated. Innate immunity is non-specific and has a rapid response, whereas acquired immunity is specific and has a slower response. Acquired immunity can also "remember" past encounters with pathogens, which innate immunity cannot do.
- Innate vs Adaptive Immunity
- Active vs Passive Immunity
- Specific vs Nonspecific Immunity
- Innate vs Learned Behaviour
- Cell Mediated vs Antibody Mediated Immunity
- Inoculation vs Vaccination
- Systemic Acquired Resistance vs Induced Systemic Resistance
- Primary vs Secondary Immune Response
- Immunoglobulin vs Antibody
- Humoral vs Cell Mediated Immunity
- Vaccination vs Immunization
- Antigen vs Immunogen
- Immunosuppression vs Immunodeficiency
- Antigen vs Antibody
- Inflammation vs Infection
- Hypersensitivity vs Autoimmunity
- Immune System vs Lymphatic System
- Antibodies vs T Cells
- Live Attenuated vs Inactivated Vaccines