Using your knowledge of the third line of defence, explain why a different vaccine needs to be developed for each infectious disease.
Question
Using your knowledge of the third line of defence, explain why a different vaccine needs to be developed for each infectious disease.
Solution
The third line of defense in the immune system is the adaptive immune response, which is highly specific to each pathogen. Here's why a different vaccine is needed for each infectious disease:
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Specificity of the Immune Response: The adaptive immune response is highly specific. It involves the production of antibodies and T cells that are specific to the antigens (foreign substances) of a particular pathogen. Each infectious disease is caused by a different pathogen, which has different antigens. Therefore, a different immune response is needed for each disease.
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Memory of the Immune System: One of the key features of the adaptive immune response is immunological memory. Once the immune system has responded to a particular pathogen, it 'remembers' that pathogen. If the same pathogen invades the body again, the immune system can respond more quickly and effectively. Vaccines work by stimulating this memory response. A vaccine for one disease will not stimulate a memory response for a different disease.
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Variation in Pathogens: Even within the same type of pathogen, there can be many different strains. For example, there are many different strains of the influenza virus, and a new vaccine has to be developed for each strain. This is because the antigens on the surface of the virus can change, and the immune system needs to recognize these new antigens in order to respond effectively.
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Vaccine Development: The process of developing a vaccine involves identifying the antigens on the pathogen that will stimulate an effective immune response. This process is different for each pathogen, and therefore a different vaccine needs to be developed for each infectious disease.
In conclusion, the specificity, memory, and variation in pathogens of the adaptive immune response, as well as the process of vaccine development, mean that a different vaccine needs to be developed for each infectious disease.
Similar Questions
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