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<p>The <a href="/1/10_cell_defense.htm">previous page</a> investigated the role of white blood cells in phagocytosis. <em><a href="/dictionary/white_blood_cell">White blood cells</a></em> are also responsible for <em><a href="/dictionary/antibody">antibody</a></em> formation. Certain antibodies are synthesised in response to the presence of certain <em><a href="/dictionary/antigen">antigens</a></em></p> <h2>Specific Immune Responses</h2> <p><em><a href="/dictionary/lymphocyte">Lymphocytes</a></em> are a type of white blood cell capable of producing a <em><a href="/dictionary/immune_response">specific immune response</a></em> to unique antigens. Some of these lymphocytes are capable of entrapping antigens on their surface.</p> <p>When lymphocytes catch these antigens they can then begin to code for unique antibodies, structures that are capable of catching these antigens.</p> <p>The lymphocytes code for a particular antibody on response to a particular antigen. The antibody that is formed will be capable of catching free antigens therefore neutralising the threat as seen below.</p> <p><img alt="(1) Free antibodies produced by B lymphocytes (2) T Cells that bind to antigens via antibodies on their surface" src="/images/lymphocyte.gif"></p> <p><em><a href="/dictionary/b_lymphocyte">B lymphocytes</a></em> (B Cells) produce free moving antibodies as above while <em><a href="/dictionary/t_lymphocyte">T lymphocytes</a></em> (T Cells) produce antibodies on their surface.</p> <h2>Types of Immunity</h2> <p>When attacked an organism has several means in which it can prepare to defend itself in event of attack.</p> <ul><li><em><a href="/dictionary/active_immunity">Active Immunity</a></em> - <em><a href="/dictionary/vaccine">Vaccines</a></em> are used for health purposes to expose our bodies to a particular antigen. These antigens are usually killed or severely weakened to decrease their potency. After destroying these pathogens, the body stores some T cells as memory cells, due to the fact they code for a particular antigen and can be when needed. This memory in T cells can be a means of artificially acquiring immunity while a genuine attack by a pathogen is a naturally acquired type of immunity.<br></li> <li><em><a href="/dictionary/passive_immunity">Passive Immunity</a></em> - This is where immunity to particular antigens as a result of genetic traits passed on from parents rendering the offspring immune to a particular pathogenic threat. </li> </ul><p>All of the information on this and the previous page are common methods of defence in red blooded animals, the following page investigates the defensive means of plants.</p>
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