Innate Immunity vs Acquired Immunity
Immunity can be defined as the capability of the body to protect itself against infectious diseases. Immunity is a biological defense mechanism of the body that resist the invasion of microorganism and foreign bodies into our body.
Immunity can be classified into two types, they are
- Innate Immunity and
- Acquired/Adaptive Immunity
Innate immunity is the first line immune mechanism of the body that detects and eliminates any invading microorganism such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign bodies. Innate Immunity is inherited by an individual right from their birth.
As the name suggests Acquired immunity is an immune response that develops over time by the body against any infectious microorganisms during the course of the infection.
Let’s tabulate the important difference between Innate Immunity and Acquired Immunity
| Innate Immunity | Adaptive/Acquired Immunity |
|---|---|
| Innate immunity is a natural immune system that individual posses right from birth. | Acquired immunity is an immune mechanism acquired or developed by an individual over the course of an infection. |
| The immune response is almost immediate right after exposure to the infection | The immune response takes time and develops slowly over the course of the infection. |
| Immunological Memory is absent. Immune response is the same after exposure to the same pathogens. | Immunological memory is present. Immune response is faster when reexposure or reinfection with the same pathogens. |
| Active against General microbes (bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc,), Chemical irritants, burns, tissue injury, etc. | Active against Microbes, as well as nonmicrobial substances, called antigens |