ADOPTIVE IMMUNITY Meaning and
Definition
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Adoptive immunity, also known as adaptive immunity or acquired immunity, refers to the immune response of an organism that has been previously exposed to a particular pathogen or foreign substance. It is a specific and targeted defense mechanism exhibited by vertebrates, including humans, to prevent the invasion and proliferation of disease-causing agents.
The term "adoptive immunity" highlights the fact that this type of immunity is not innate or present from birth but is acquired over time through exposure to various antigens. Unlike innate immunity, which provides a general defense against a wide range of pathogens, adoptive immunity offers a highly specialized response tailored to a specific threat.
Adoptive immunity is mediated by specialized cells called lymphocytes, which include B cells and T cells. When these cells encounter a foreign substance or pathogen, they undergo a intricate process of recognition, activation, and proliferation. B cells produce antibodies that can bind to the specific antigens of the invader, marking it for destruction by other immune cells. T cells, on the other hand, can directly destroy infected cells or coordinate the immune response by signaling other cells to become more responsive.
One of the key features of adoptive immunity is memory. Once the immune system has encountered a particular antigen, it retains information about it, allowing for a faster and more robust response upon subsequent exposures. This memory aspect is the basis for vaccinations, where weakened or inactivated forms of pathogens are introduced to elicit a protective immune response without causing disease.
Overall, adoptive immunity is a complex and highly sophisticated defense mechanism that provides an organism with long-lasting protection against specific pathogens, contributing to overall health and survival.
Common Misspellings for ADOPTIVE IMMUNITY
- zdoptive immunity
- sdoptive immunity
- wdoptive immunity
- qdoptive immunity
- asoptive immunity
- axoptive immunity
- acoptive immunity
- afoptive immunity
- aroptive immunity
- aeoptive immunity
- adiptive immunity
- adkptive immunity
- adlptive immunity
- adpptive immunity
- ad0ptive immunity
- ad9ptive immunity
- adootive immunity
- adoltive immunity
- ado0tive immunity
- adoprive immunity
Etymology of ADOPTIVE IMMUNITY
The word "adoptive immunity" comes from the combination of two terms: "adoptive" and "immunity".
1. "Adoptive" is derived from the Latin word "adoptare", which means "to choose or take for oneself". It is formed from the prefix "ad", which denotes "to" or "towards", and "optare", meaning "to choose" or "to desire". In the context of immunity, "adoptive" refers to the transfer or acquisition of immunity from one individual to another.
2. "Immunity" originates from the Latin word "immunitas", meaning "exemption from duty or payment". It is formed from the prefix "in-" denoting negation or absence, and "munus", which conveys the idea of a "gift" or "service".
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