What is the innate immune system?
Q: What is the innate immune system?
A: The innate immune system is a defense mechanism that defends the host from infections. It includes cells which recognize and respond to pathogens (germs) right away, without being specific to any particular pathogen.
Q: Does the innate immune system provide long-lasting immunity against specific infections?
A: No, unlike the adaptive immune system, the innate immune system does not give long-lasting immunity against specific infections.
Q: Where can we find the innate immune system?
A: The innate immune system can be found in all plant and animal life, as well as in primitive multicellular organisms. It is also present in plants, fungi, insects, and vertebrates.
Q: Is the innate immune system adaptable?
A: No, it is not adaptable and does not change over an individual's lifetime.
Q: How does the innate immune system defend against infections?
A: The innate immune system rapidly responds to pathogens that it recognizes by defending against them quickly.
Q: How old is this defense strategy compared to other strategies?
A: This defense strategy is evolutionarily older than other strategies used for defending against infection.
Q: What type of organism relies mostly on its innate immunity for protection from infection?
A: Primitive multicellular organisms rely mostly on their innate immunity for protection from infection.
