What is the adaptive immune response?


National electronic Library of Infection

Bugs & Drugs on the Web
NeLI Antimicrobial Resistance Website


Learn about Resistance
 Antimicrobial Resistance & Common Illnesses Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Other Resources



Current Location: Home > Learn > Immune System > What is the adaptive immune response?



News

Scientists make immunity breakthrough


Resources

Resources about the Immune system and disorders
06/04/2003
More resources...


Current Tip

Finish your course of antibiotics
More Tips...


Feedback

Give us your feedback about this website







What is the adaptive immune response?


The adaptive immune response happens because the immune system has had enough time to recognise the germ causing the infection and can target it's action specifically to that germ. A targeted action is more effective than the general innate response above. There are two types of adaptive immunity:
  • Cellular immunity - white blood cells are made to specifically target the invading germ.
  • Humoral immunity - the immune system recognises special substances on the surface of invading germs called antigens. It then produces its own chemicals called antibodies, to specifically target the antigens and inactivate them. The germs are then marked by the antibodies for destruction by white blood cells.


Related Resources
How your immune system works
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dangerous Diseases & Epidemics
Resources about the Immune system and disorders


Date of Posting: 10/01/2003
Date of next Review: 15/01/2005


Related Questions:
How does my body protect itself against infection?
What happens if the microbes get through the first defences (the innate response)?
Why do I only get some illnesses once?
Why do I get some illnesses lots of times?
Why may I need to take antimicrobials?


MeSH keywords:
Immune System; Immunity; Immunity, Natural; Immunity, Active; Immunity, Cellular


Created by CeRC. Page last updated 15/1/2004. To contact us click here.

Free DHTML scripts provided by
Dynamic Drive



We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the HON Foundation. Click to verify. We subscribe to the HONcode principles Verify here City University City UniversityNational Electronic Library for Health (NeLH)

National Library for Health (NLH)		 NHS Direct 0845 4647 NHS Direct 0845 4647 Health Protection Agency Health Protection Agency