Question #c4a68
1 Answer
Hello:
There are 2 branches to cellular immunity: nonspecific and specific. The first branch encountered by the pathogen is nonspecific.
Explanation:
This means that there are physical and chemical 'lines of defense' to the body, all of which are nonspecific (and temporary). They have no memory. But, the nonspecific branch can attack a huge variety of antigens and attacks (=the pathogen).
The skin; mucous membranes; and mucus itself are all nonspecific.
Cells like macrophages and neutrophils do much, much of the isolating and marking of the pathogen.
They are nonspecific.
After this, if the pathogen still has not gone away, the second branch-specific- kicks in.
It includes the B cells, T cells, and antibodies. B cells make the soluble antibodies; T cells command and also directly kill many dangerous pathogenic cells.
These cells are VERY specific and have memory for JUST that one pathogen, like E. coli ;)
