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The non-specific (innate) immune response provides immediate, generalised defence against any pathogen that breaches the body's barriers. Unlike the specific immune response, it does not target particular pathogens and does not involve immune memory. This lesson covers the physical barriers, phagocytosis, inflammation, and other non-specific mechanisms for the Edexcel A-Level Biology (9BI0) specification.
The immune system can be divided into two main categories:
| Type | Features | Speed | Specificity | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-specific (innate) | Same response to any pathogen; physical barriers, phagocytosis, inflammation | Immediate (minutes to hours) | None (acts against all pathogens) | No |
| Specific (adaptive) | Targets specific antigens; involves B cells and T cells | Slower (days to weeks on first exposure) | Highly specific | Yes (immune memory) |
The non-specific immune system acts as the first and second lines of defence.
These barriers prevent pathogens from entering the body in the first place.
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