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Q8(a):
Differentiate the following and give examples of each:
(a) Innate and acquired immunity
Solution :
1. Conceptual Framework of Immunity
Immunity is the balanced state of multicellular organisms having adequate biological defenses to fight infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. It is fundamentally categorized into Innate Immunity (non-specific, inherited) and Acquired Immunity (specific, adaptive, learned).
2. Comparative Analysis: Innate vs. Acquired Immunity
| Feature | Innate Immunity | Acquired (Adaptive) Immunity |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Non-specific defense mechanism. | Pathogen-specific defense mechanism. |
| Origin | Present at birth (Inherited). | Developed after birth via exposure. |
| Memory | Lacks immunological memory. | Possesses high immunological memory. |
| Onset Speed | Immediate response [Per innate physiological barriers]. | Delayed response (Lag phase). |
| Components | Barriers (Physical, Physiological, Cellular, Cytokine). | Lymphocytes ($T$ and $B$ cells), Antibodies. |
3. Granular Breakdown of Innate Immunity
Innate immunity acts as the first line of defense, functioning through four specific barriers:
- Physical Barriers: Skin and mucous membranes lining respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts [Mechanical obstruction].
- Physiological Barriers: Acid in the stomach, saliva in the mouth, and tears from eyes [Chemical inhibition].
- Cellular Barriers: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL-neutrophils), monocytes, and natural killer cells in blood [Phagocytosis].
- Cytokine Barriers: Interferons ($\alpha, \beta, \gamma$) secreted by virus-infected cells to protect non-infected cells [Signaling interference].
4. Granular Breakdown of Acquired Immunity
Acquired immunity relies on the clonal selection of lymphocytes:
- Humoral Immune Response (HIR): Mediated by $B$-lymphocytes which produce antibodies ($IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD, IgE$) in response to antigens in blood and lymph.
- Cell-Mediated Immune Response (CMIR): Mediated by $T$-lymphocytes; these cells do not secrete antibodies but assist $B$-cells and destroy infected host cells directly [By MHC-restricted antigen recognition].
5. Visual Representation of Immunological Response
6. Examples
- Innate Immunity: The acidic environment of the stomach ($pH \approx 1.5 - 3.5$) that destroys ingested pathogens, and the presence of lysozymes in human tears.
- Acquired Immunity: The production of antibodies against the Varicella-zoster virus following a primary chickenpox infection or vaccination, preventing secondary infection [Per Immunological Memory Principle].
Final Solution: Innate immunity is a non-specific, immediate, hereditary defense (e.g., skin/mucus barriers), whereas Acquired immunity is a highly specific, delayed, memory-based defense generated post-pathogen exposure (e.g., antibody production by $B$-lymphocytes).
More Questions from Class 12 Biology Human Health and Disease EXERCISES
- Q1: What are the various public health measures, which you would suggest as safeguard against infectious diseases?
- Q1: What are the various public health measures, which you would suggest as safeguard against infectious diseases?
- Q2: In which way has the study of biology helped us to control infectious diseases?
- Q2: In which way has the study of biology helped us to control infectious diseases?
- Q3(a): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (a) Amoebiasis
- Q3(a): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (a) Amoebiasis
- Q3(b): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (b) Malaria
- Q3(b): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (b) Malaria
- Q3(c): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (c) Ascariasis
- Q3(c): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (c) Ascariasis
- Q3(d): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (d) Pneumonia
- Q3(d): How does the transmission of each of the following diseases take place? (d) Pneumonia
- Q4: What measure would you take to prevent water-borne diseases?
- Q4: What measure would you take to prevent water-borne diseases?
- Q5: Discuss with your teacher what does ‘a suitable gene’ means, in the context of DNA vaccines.
- Q5: Discuss with your teacher what does ‘a suitable gene’ means, in the context of DNA vaccines.
- Q6: Name the primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
- Q6: Name the primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
- Q7(a): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (a) MALT
- Q7(a): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (a) MALT
- Q7(b): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (b) CMI
- Q7(b): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (b) CMI
- Q7(c): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (c) AIDS
- Q7(c): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (c) AIDS
- Q7(d): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (d) NACO
- Q7(d): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (d) NACO
- Q7(e): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (e) HIV
- Q7(e): The following are some well-known abbreviations, which have been used in this chapter. Expand each one to its full form: (e) HIV
- Q8(a): Differentiate the following and give examples of each: (a) Innate and acquired immunity
- Q8(b): Differentiate the following and give examples of each: (b) Active and passive immunity
- Q8(b): Differentiate the following and give examples of each: (b) Active and passive immunity
- Q9: Draw a well-labelled diagram of an antibody molecule.
- Q9: Draw a well-labelled diagram of an antibody molecule.
- Q10: What are the various routes by which transmission of human immuno-deficiency virus takes place?
- Q10: What are the various routes by which transmission of human immuno-deficiency virus takes place?
- Q11: What is the mechanism by which the AIDS virus causes deficiency of immune system of the infected person?
- Q11: What is the mechanism by which the AIDS virus causes deficiency of immune system of the infected person?
- Q12: How is a cancerous cell different from a normal cell?
- Q12: How is a cancerous cell different from a normal cell?
- Q13: Explain what is meant by metastasis.
- Q13: Explain what is meant by metastasis.
- Q14: List the harmful effects caused by alcohol/drug abuse.
- Q14: List the harmful effects caused by alcohol/drug abuse.
- Q15: Do you think that friends can influence one to take alcohol/drugs? If yes, how may one protect himself/herself from such an influence?
- Q15: Do you think that friends can influence one to take alcohol/drugs? If yes, how may one protect himself/herself from such an influence?
- Q16: Why is that once a person starts taking alcohol or drugs, it is difficult to get rid of this habit? Discuss it with your teacher.
- Q16: Why is that once a person starts taking alcohol or drugs, it is difficult to get rid of this habit? Discuss it with your teacher.
- Q17: In your view what motivates youngsters to take to alcohol or drugs and how can this be avoided?
- Q17: In your view what motivates youngsters to take to alcohol or drugs and how can this be avoided?
CBSE Solutions for Class 12 Biology Human Health and Disease
Chapters in CBSE - Class 12 Biology
- Reproduction in Organisms
- Human Reproduction
- Reproductive Health
- Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- Evolution
- Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production
- Microbes in Human Welfare
- Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
- Biotechnology and Its Applications
- Organisms and Populations
- Ecosystem
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Environmental Issues
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