Describe Specific and Non-Specific defence mechanisms (6 marks)

The response in non-specific immunity is immediate and the same for all pathogens with two separate responses. The body has a physical barrier, which stops pathogens entering, such as skin(, mucus, scabs and eyelashes/tears). It also can carry out the process of phagocytosis where white blood cells can engulf pathogens and break them down internally.The response in specific immunity is tailored to each pathogen and takes more time, there are also two separate responses here. The first is cell-mediated where T-cells respond to antigens on the surface of pathogens and produce antibodies complementary to them. The second specific immune response is humoral where B-cells respond by engulfing the pathogen and displaying its antigens on its surface for T-cells to bind to.