Innate Immunity: The Body's First Defense

Innate Immunity: The Body's First Defense

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will understand how the body's innate immunity acts as the first line of defense against harmful microorganisms. At the end of the lesson you will be able to describe the various components and steps involved in innate immunity.

What do you already know about how our body fights infections?

Introduction to Immunity

Immunity: Body's defense against infections. Two types: Innate and Adaptive.

What is Innate Immunity?

First line of defense. Acts immediately. Non-specific response.

Components of Innate Immunity

Physical barriers: Skin, mucus, stomach acid. Immune cells: White blood cells, phagocytes, natural killer cells.

Response Mechanisms

Inflammation: Local response to injury. Fever: Systemic response to infection.

The Complement System

Proteins in blood. Enhance immune response. Destroy bacteria and mark germs.

Characteristics of Innate Immunity

Fast-acting. Always active. Non-specific. Lacks memory.

Summary of Innate Immunity

Key role in defending against pathogens. Essential for overall health.

Definition List

Innate Immunity: The body's first line of defense against infections, acting immediately and non-specifically. Adaptive Immunity: Immunity that develops over time, providing long-term protection by recognizing specific pathogens. White Blood Cells: Cells that patrol the body and fight harmful invaders. Phagocytes: Immune cells that chase, engulf, and digest germs. Natural Killer Cells: Cells that kill virus-infected and cancerous cells. Complement System: Proteins in the blood that help fight infections by destroying bacteria and marking

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.