Topic 3.2

Topic 3.2

Why is non-specific immunity important in protecting the body from infections?

Non-specific immunity, or innate immunity, is the body’s first and second lines of defence. It works quickly to fight harmful invaders like bacteria or viruses. Special white blood cells, such as macrophages, “eat” pathogens and stop them from spreading. This system also triggers inflammation and fever, which help your body respond to infections effectively.

Non-Specific Immunity

Non-specific immunity, also known as innate immunity, is the body’s first response team. You can think of it as your body’s initial barrier to keep you healthy. It acts as an all-purpose barrier and defence system to keep you healthy by stopping or destroying harmful invaders.

One important player in this defence system is the macrophage, a white blood cell that acts like a tiny Pac-Man, eating up and destroying pathogens that try to invade your body.

Key points about non-specific immunity:

All animals have non-specific immunity to protect themselves.
White blood cells handle most of the work, identifying and eliminating threats quickly.

So, next time you’re feeling under the weather, remember that your body has a powerful system ready to fight for you!

White Blood Cells

These are special cells because they:

“eat” pathogens and destroy them,
produce chemicals to destroy pathogens, and
they can neutralise the chemicals released by pathogens that make us sick.

If a pathogen does enter the body, such as through a cut in the skin, the innate immune system will send cells to the area

The White Blood Cells will help sterilise the area, ingest and destroy any pathogens, and start to heal and clot the wound to prevent further injuries or the entry of more pathogens.

When the innate system is at work, inflammation and fever follow. Inflammation makes it easier for blood-carrying immune cells to flow to the infected area.

There are a few types of white blood cells: phagocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils.

Each type of white blood cell aims to achieve a quick response in the case of pathogen infection.

Phagocytes

Phagocytes are white blood cells that protect the body by ingesting harmful pathogens, dead cells and other debris. They include cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and monocytes.

Macrophages

Macrophages are like the body’s garbage collectors. They “eat” harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses and clean up dead cells to keep your body safe and tidy.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes include B cells and T cells, which target specific pathogens. B cells make antibodies to fight infections, while T cells destroy infected cells.