Disease resistance refers to the ability of an organism to limit the growth and development of a pathogen. There are several types of disease resistance mechanisms that help organisms avoid getting sick.
Innate immunity provides basic defenses that are active immediately upon exposure. For example, skin acts as a physical barrier to keep pathogens out. If pathogens do invade, the inflammatory response triggers events like increased blood flow, fever, and release of protective chemicals.
Acquired immunity develops after exposure to a pathogen. The adaptive immune system learns to recognize specific pathogens and generates long-lasting immunity. Antibodies bind to and neutralize pathogens, while T cells kill infected cells. People who recover from illnesses like chickenpox gain acquired resistance.
Genetic resistance is inherited and protects against specific diseases. For example, people with the CCR5-Δ32 genetic mutation are highly resistant to HIV infection. Breeding disease-resistant plants and animals is important for agriculture.
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Back to disease resistance - when pathogens overcome an organism's defenses, infection occurs. Maintaining strong multi-layered disease resistance is crucial for health. Societies also enact public health policies like vaccines, hygiene standards and infection control measures to reduce transmission of contagious diseases.
Bolstering disease resistance requires looking at the big picture:
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