IMIN405 Lecture 6: Evolutionary Immunology Notes
Document Summary
Mucous (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) (cid:12254) >90% of organisms do not have adaptive immunity >> only associated with vertebrates. Innate immunity is a basal defence mechanism that spans phylogeny. Some phyla encompass so many different species that it is likely that there is immense immunological diversity even within the phyla. More innate immune diversity across arthropods alone than across all other phyla. Most studies investigating plant and animal immune systems emphasize and focus on the similarities. Therefore, we know more about immune conservation than immune diversity (cid:12254) If an animal has a specific immune response that makes it immune/susceptible to certain pathogens, there is an evolutionary advantage/disadvantage in the environment. We understand very little about the pathogens of most organisms. Our immunological understanding for most phyla stem from single representatives ex. Drosophila and malaria-vector mosquitoes have very different immune responses.