Specific immunity

Specific Immunity

Sometimes known as acquired immunity.
It forms the body's third line of defence.
Specific Immunity has the following features:
Specificity : responds to specific antigens
Diversity : 10⁸ (Ten million) different antibodies
Self / Non-Self Recognition
Memory : recognises previously encountered antigens and reacts faster and more effectively to subsequent exposures. e.g. chicken pox.

Specific Immune Response is divided into two categories.
Cell-Mediated relies upon T-lymphocyte cells attacking the invading organism. Called T-cells because they are formed in thymus.
Humoral immunity is antibody dependent and relies upon body fluids especially the lymph and the blood plasma to spread antibodies around the body. The antibodies are produced by B-lymphocytes. Named after a lymphatic organ found in birds called the bursa where these cells are processed. No equivalent organ is known in man and it is thought that processing of B-cells occurs in the bone marrow and the foetal liver.

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