Question 1

What is the difference between innate and acquired immunity?

Accepted Answer

Innate immunity is non-specific, is present from birth and acts as an early line of defence. Acquired immunity is antigen-specific, develops after exposure or vaccination, and can produce memory cells.

Question 2

Where do B and T lymphocytes mature in humans?

Accepted Answer

B lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow, while T lymphocytes mature in the thymus. A lymph node is one place where lymphocytes may encounter antigen, but it is not the only possible site.

Question 3

How does humoral immunity work?

Accepted Answer

A B lymphocyte differentiates into a plasma cell. The plasma cell secretes antibody proteins into body fluids, where the antibodies bind to their specific antigen.

Question 4

What does a cytotoxic T cell do?

Accepted Answer

A cytotoxic T cell recognises an infected host cell and kills that cell. This is an example of acquired cell-mediated immunity, where T cells act directly on tissue cells.

Question 5

What is the difference between allergy and autoimmunity?

Accepted Answer

Allergy is an exaggerated response to an otherwise harmless antigen called an allergen. Autoimmunity is an immune attack against the body's own components, such as in rheumatoid arthritis.

Immune System in 3D: Innate, Acquired, Allergy and Autoimmunity

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