🛡️ Immunology — Intro#

Scope — How the body defends itself against pathogens and distinguishes self from non‑self.

Key concepts#

• Immune system — coordinated cells, tissues, and molecules that protect against infection.
• Innate immunity — rapid, nonspecific defense present from birth.
• Adaptive immunity — slower, highly specific defense with memory.

Seed Q&A triads#

• Q: What is the primary role of the immune system?
  A: To detect, neutralize, and eliminate pathogens while minimizing damage to the body’s own tissues.

• Q: How does innate immunity differ from adaptive immunity?
  A: Innate immunity responds immediately and broadly; adaptive immunity is specific to particular antigens and improves with exposure.

• Q: What is an antigen?
  A: A molecule, often from a pathogen, that can be recognized by immune receptors and trigger an immune response.

Quick activities#

• List examples of innate defenses (physical barriers, cells, molecules) and adaptive defenses (cells, antibodies).