5.1 defence mechanisms

• an infection is an interaction between the pathogen and the body's defence mechanisms
• non-specific defence mechanisms have an immediate response which is the same for all pathogens
• specific defence mechanisms have a slower response which is specific to each pathogen
• specific defence mechanisms:

  1. cell-mediated response by T lymphocytes
  2. humoral response by B lymphocytes
• non-specific defence mechanisms:

  1. physical barrier such as skin
  2. phagocytosis