The Immune ResponseHESI A2 cheat sheet

Innate and adaptive

9 key facts 4 practice questions Reviewed Oct 2026

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Innate

Nonspecific and immediate
Skin, mucous membranes, stomach acid
Inflammation — redness, heat, swelling, pain
Phagocytes engulf invaders

Adaptive

Specific and slower the first time
B cells → antibodies (humoral)
T cells → kill infected cells directly (cell-mediated)

Memory

Memory cells make the second exposure faster and stronger — the basis of vaccination

Immunity Types

Active — your own response. Passive — antibodies given (breast milk, immunoglobulin)

Key takeaway

Innate and adaptive

Before you read

Test yourself first: 4 questions

Question 1 of 4

A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus is called a:

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