Difference between innate and acquired immunity
Point of distinction |
Innate immunity |
Acquired immunity |
| Definition | Immunity with which an individual is born | Immunity which is gained later in life |
| Immunity Provided by | Anatomical barrier
Physicochemical barrier Phagocytosis |
Antibody
Certain T-cells |
| Specificity | Not specific | Specific |
| Diversity | Limited diversity | High diversity |
| Duration of immunity | From birth to death | Not life long |
| Mechanism of immunity | Almost same in all individuals | Not same, diverse type |
| Self/non-self recognition | No | Yes |
| Immunological memory | No | Yes |
| Line of defense | First line of defense | Provide defense only if innate immunity is compromised |
| Response rate | Fast | Slow (1-2 week for antibody production) |
| Potency | Low or limited | High potency |
| Inheritance | Inherited from parents | Not inherited, Acquired later in life |
| Complement activation | Alternative and lectin pathway | Classic pathway |
| Protection against | Microorganisms | Microorganism, toxins, chemicals, antigens |
| Allergic reaction | None | Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reaction |