7.3.1 Innate immunity

. . Innate immunity Innate immunity is the natural phenomenon of resistance to infection which an individual possesses right from the birth. The innate defense mechanisms are non-specific in the sense that they are effective against a wide range of potentially infectious agents. It is otherwise known as non-specific immunity or natural immunity. A number of innate defense mechanisms are operative non-specifically against a large number of microorganisms as shown in the Table . and Fig. . . Lysozyme in tears Removal of airbrone particles Physical barrier Low pH of vagina Rapid pH change Flushing of urinary tract Skin Bronchi mucus,cilia Gut acid Fig. . Various anatomical and physiological barriers to microbial attack