The adaptive immune system , also known as the acquired immune system
, or specific immune system is a subsystem of the immune system that is
composed of specialized, systemic cells and processes that eliminate pathogens
or prevent their growth. The acquired immune system is one of the two main
immunity strategies found in vertebrates (the other being the innate immune
system).
Like the innate system, the adaptive immune system includes both humoral
immunity components and cell-mediated immunity components and destroys
invading pathogens. Unlike the innate immune system, which is pre-programmed
to react to common broad categories of pathogen, the adaptive immune system is
highly specific to each particular pathogen the body has encountered.