What is the Difference Between Specific and Nonspecific Immunity?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between specific and nonspecific immunity lies in their response to pathogens. Nonspecific immunity is a general defense system that protects against a wide range of pathogens, while specific immunity is tailored to particular types of invaders based on previous exposure to the pathogens.
Nonspecific immunity, also known as innate immunity, includes the following components:
- Barriers such as skin
- Chemicals like stomach acid and tears
- Generalized white blood cells like macrophages
Examples of nonspecific immunity include:
- Cough reflex
- Enzymes in tears and skin oils
- Mucus, which traps bacteria and small particles
- Skin
- Stomach acid
On the other hand, specific immunity, also known as acquired immunity, develops with exposure to various antigens. The immune system builds a defense against that specific antigen, and it can respond faster and more accurately when encountering the same pathogen in the future.
There are four types of specific immunity:
- Vaccine-acquired
- Disease-acquired
- Naturally-acquired
- Curative
In summary, nonspecific immunity provides a general defense against a wide range of pathogens, while specific immunity targets particular pathogens based on previous exposure and offers a more tailored and efficient response. Both types of immunity work together to protect the body from infections and diseases.
Comparative Table: Specific vs Nonspecific Immunity
Here is a table comparing specific and nonspecific immunity:
Feature | Specific Immunity | Nonspecific Immunity |
---|---|---|
Definition | Immunity that is learned by the body based on previous exposure to pathogens, including B-cells and antibodies. | Generalized immunity that all humans are born with, including barriers like skin, chemicals like stomach acid and tears, and white blood cells like macrophages. |
Response | Antigen-dependent. | Antigen-independent. |
Examples | Vaccine acquired, disease acquired, naturally acquired, and curative. | Anatomical barriers (skin, mucosa), secretory molecules, and cellular components. |
Function | Protects against specific pathogens the body has encountered before. | Protects against a wide range of pathogens. |
Specific immunity is learned by the body based on previous exposure to pathogens and includes B-cells and antibodies. In contrast, nonspecific immunity is a generalized immunity that all humans are born with, including barriers like skin, chemicals like stomach acid and tears, and white blood cells like macrophages. Specific immunity is antigen-dependent, while nonspecific immunity is antigen-independent. Specific immunity protects against specific pathogens the body has encountered before, while nonspecific immunity provides a broader protection against various pathogens.
- Innate vs Adaptive Immunity
- Innate Immunity vs Acquired Immunity
- Active vs Passive Immunity
- Primary vs Secondary Immune Response
- Cell Mediated vs Antibody Mediated Immunity
- Humoral vs Cell Mediated Immunity
- Immunoglobulin vs Antibody
- Self vs Non Self Antigens
- Antibodies vs T Cells
- Sensitivity vs Specificity
- Cell Cycle Specific vs Cell Cycle Nonspecific
- Antigen vs Antibody
- Vaccination vs Immunization
- Serology vs Immunology
- Antigen vs Immunogen
- Hypersensitivity vs Autoimmunity
- Immunosuppression vs Immunodeficiency
- Organ-Specific vs Systemic Autoimmune Disease
- Specificity vs Selectivity