TRUE OR FALSE?

The innate immune system is a generalized response to a pathogen and it keeps a memory of the pathogen.

I believe the correct answer is FALSE.

Explanation:

Innate immunity is a fast acting response to confront a pathogen but does not keep memory. It is initiated and carried out by cell and can be refered to as cellular immunity lasting for a short term.

Further Explanation:Innate Immunity:

This is the first line of defence and involves only cells. It lasts for a short period usually around 12 hours. It includes physical barries. The cells involved are: epithelial cells, dendritic cells, plasma proteins and natural killer cells. All the cells involved are macrocytes. It functions to recognize and attack the pathogen before the second type of immunity called adaptive immunity sets in. It usually is also non specific and responds generally to any pathogen.

Adaptive Immunity:

It is a much more longer lasting type of immunities and has memory. It has a combination of cells and humoral components. It involves Naive B cells which are triggered to release antibodies known as Immunoglobulins depending on the cause of the trigger. Immunoglobulins include IgG, IgM, IgA, IgG and IgD and are usually Y-shaped. Additionally, it involves Naive T cells that are activated into Effector T-cells to assist in fighting the pathogen. This type of immunity is more focused and specific antibodies are released for specific infections/pathogens. It lasts up to 5 days or longer depending on the pathogen. It also takes time to mount up and produce a response.

Level: High School