Innate and adaptive immunity
Thu, Apr 29, 2027 · Week 15 · Human Anatomy & Physiology (Human Body Systems)
Today's goal: Distinguish innate from adaptive immunity using teacher notes and the PLTW online task.
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
My definitions (in my own words):
- Antigen: a molecule, often on the surface of a pathogen, that the immune system recognizes as foreign and responds to.
- Antibody: a Y-shaped protein made by B cells that binds to a specific antigen to neutralize or tag the pathogen.
- Lymphocyte: a white blood cell (B cell or T cell) that drives the adaptive, antigen-specific immune response.
Innate vs adaptive (one-line contrast): innate immunity is fast and non-specific (skin, mucus, phagocytes, inflammation); adaptive immunity is slower, highly specific, and builds memory for faster future responses.
My question about immune memory: How long do memory B cells survive after a single infection?
| Feature | Innate immunity | Adaptive immunity |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast (minutes to hours) | Slow on first exposure (days) |
| Specificity | Non-specific | Highly specific to antigen |
| Examples | Skin, mucus, phagocytes | B cells, T cells, antibodies |
| Memory | No lasting memory | Builds long-term memory |
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: Completes the immunity vocabulary target: a labeled lymphatic-system diagram plus student-written definitions of antigen, antibody, and lymphocyte.
- Define the term in plain scientific language.
- Connect it to the current investigation.
- Use it accurately in a new example or contrast.
Keep the structure. Replace the question, facts, measurements, and evidence. Then recheck units, vocabulary, and whether the conclusion goes beyond the evidence.
Also due today: Submit the completed PLTW online immune-response task with your diagram and definitions.
Turn in: Lymphatic diagram + immunity vocabulary
Go to Schoology to turn this in.
Submit one PDF. Put your first and last name in the document header. Name the file: FirstName LastName - Assignment Title - YYYY-MM-DD.pdf.
Open Schoology PDF upload helpIf you cannot get in, see Mr. Mendoza. Do not skip the work.
Claim ceiling: Today's evidence supports a classroom claim about today's lesson. It cannot prove causation, diagnose a real patient, or justify action outside this room.
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.
It builds this reusable test skill: Distinguishing innate from adaptive immune responses.
- Name the concept or data pattern being tested.
- Cross out choices that violate that rule or the evidence.
- Justify the best remaining choice before checking the answer.