Biology Tutorials > Cell Biology > Passive and Active Types of Immunity

Passive and Active Types of Immunity

3D rendering of an antibody

3D rendering of an antibody

The previous tutorial investigated the role of white blood cells in phagocytosis. White blood cells are also responsible for antibody formation. Certain antibodies are synthesized in response to the presence of certain antigens

Specific Immune Responses

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell capable of producing a specific immune response to unique antigens. Some of these lymphocytes are capable of entrapping antigens on their surface.

When lymphocytes catch these antigens they can then begin to code for unique antibodies, structures that are capable of catching these antigens.

The lymphocytes code for a particular antibody on response to a particular antigen. The antibody that is formed will be capable of catching free antigens, therefore, neutralizing the threat as seen below.

B lymphocytes (B Cells) produce free moving antibodies as above while T lymphocytes (T Cells) produce antibodies on their surface.

Types of Immunity

When attacked an organism has several means in which it can prepare to defend itself in event of an attack.

  • Active Immunity – Vaccines are used for health purposes to expose our bodies to a particular antigen. These antigens are usually killed or severely weakened to decrease their potency. After destroying these pathogens, the body stores some T cells as memory cells, due to the fact the code for a particular antigen and can be when needed. This memory in T cells can be a means of artificially acquiring immunity while a genuine attack by a pathogen is a naturally acquired type of immunity.
  • Passive Immunity – This is where immunity to particular antigens as a result of genetic traits passed on from parents rendering the offspring immune to a particular pathogenic threat.

All of the information on this and the previous page are common methods of defense in red-blooded animals, the next tutorial investigates the defensive means of plants.

 

Credit: Science Sauce

 

Quiz

Choose the best answer.

1. Blood cells that are capable of producing specific immune responses to unique antigens

2. Produced to neutralize foreign substances

3. Lymphocyte is a type of

4. A type of active immunity

5. An immunity that is genetically acquired

Send Your Results (Optional)

Biology Tutorials > Cell Biology > Passive and Active Types of Immunity

You will also like...

Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Learn about the general structure of a eukaryotic gene, the transcription factors, and post-transcriptional regulation....

Adaptation Tutorial
Adaptation Tutorial

Adaptation, in biology and ecology, refers to the process or trait through which organisms or the populations in a habit..

Still freshwater and plants
Still Freshwater & Plants

Plants in lentic habitats have features not found in terrestrial plants. They acquired these features as they adapt to t..

Cell structure
Cell Structure

A typical eukaryotic cell is comprised of cytoplasm with different organelles, such as nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, G..

Schematic diagram of bacterial lactose operon
Gene Action – Operon Hypothesis

Learn how the way genes control and determine every aspect of the body. This lesson uses lac operon as an example. ..

..

Balanced Diet
A Balanced Diet – Minerals and Proteins

Proteins and minerals can be derived from various dietary sources. They are essential for the proper growth and developm..