Question
What is innate immunity? How is it accomplished in a human body?

Answer

  • Innate immunity refers to all the defence elements with which an individual is born and is always available to protect the body.
  • It is accomplished by the following types of barriers:
  1. Physical barriers:
  • Skin is the main barrier to prevent the entry of microbes. The mucus coating of the epithelial lining of gastro-intestinal, urinogenital and respiratory tracts helps in trapping the microbes entering such sites.
  1. Physiological barriers
  • Acids in the stomach.
  • Lysozyme in saliva, tear and sweat prevents microbial growth.
  1. Cellular barriers
  • Leucocytes like PMNL (neutrophils) and monocytes.
  • Lymphocytes like natural killer cells.
  • Macrophages in the tissues; all these types of cells phagocytose and destroy the microbes.
  1. Cytokine barriers
  • Interferons are the glycoprotiens secreted by virus-infected cells.
  • They protect the non-infected cells from viral infection.

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