Adaptive immune responses

Adaptive immune responses are the body's targeted defenses against specific pathogens, like bacteria or viruses. When we encounter a new germ, the immune system learns to recognize unique features of it, creating specialized cells called lymphocytes. These cells remember the pathogen and can respond quickly if it invades again. This system is highly adaptable, providing long-term immunity through memory cells, and works in tandem with the body's more general defenses to effectively eliminate infections and protect us from future illnesses.