What is adaptive immunity?
Immunity that develops after exposure to a specific pathogen; is specific, has memory, and distinguishes self from non-self.
What are antigens?
Foreign substances, usually proteins on pathogens, that trigger an immune response.
What are the two types of adaptive immune responses?
1) Cell-mediated immunity (T cells)
2) Antibody-mediated immunity (B cells)
What do helper T cells do?
Activate other immune cells and stimulate B cell proliferation.
What do cytotoxic T cells do?
Destroy infected or abnormal cells via apoptosis or cytolysis.
How do B cells respond to antigens?
Bind directly to antigens, proliferate, differentiate into plasma cells, and secrete antibodies.
What are MHC antigens?
Proteins on most somatic cells (except RBCs) that help the immune system identify self from non-self.
