Disease resistance is an organism's ability to fight off or withstand the effects of a disease-causing agent (pathogen). This could be a virus, bacterium, fungus, parasite, or prion. It's crucial for individual and population survival.
This ability is a complex interplay of factors:
1. Innate Immunity: This is the body's first line of defense, a built-in security system. It includes:
2. Acquired Immunity: This adaptive immune response develops after exposure to a specific pathogen. The body learns to recognize and fight specific invaders more efficiently. Key aspects include:
Disease resistance varies greatly between organisms and within populations. Some organisms are naturally more resistant due to genetic factors. Genetics plays a significant role.
How can disease resistance be improved?
Besides genetics, several ways exist to boost resistance:
What happens when disease resistance fails?
When an organism's defenses are overwhelmed by a pathogen, disease develops. Severity depends on the pathogen's virulence, the host's health, and the immune response's effectiveness.
In short, disease resistance is a crucial, multifaceted defense system. Understanding it helps develop strategies to enhance resistance and combat disease.