NUR 110 INNATE vs. ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY STUDY GUIDE | GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING

STUDY GUIDE: INNATE vs. ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY


INNATE IMMUNITY (Nonspecific / First Line of
Defense)
Key Characteristics


● Present at birth

● Immediate response

● Nonspecific (same response regardless of pathogen)

● No memory




Natural Barriers (First Line of Defense)

Physical Barriers


● Skin

● Epithelial cells lining:

○ GI tract

○ GU tract

○ Respiratory tract

● Normal microbiome (normal flora) prevents pathogen overgrowth

, Mechanical Barriers


● Sloughing of dead skin cells

● Coughing

● Sneezing

● Vomiting

● Urination

● Temperature & pH

○ Acidic environments reduce pathogen survival




Chemical / Biochemical Barriers



● Acidic protective substances:

○ Mucus

○ Tears

○ Sweat

○ Earwax

○ Saliva

● These contain lysozymes (lysosomes) → destroy bacterial cell walls

● Sebaceous glands secrete:

○ Fatty acids