Final answer:
Cellular immunity, also known as cell-mediated immunity, is mediated by T lymphocytes (T cells) and targets intracellular pathogens. Humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies by B lymphocytes (B cells) to neutralize extracellular pathogens. These two types of immunity work together to provide defense against infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between cellular immunity and humoral immunity lies in the types of immune cells involved and the location of their actions. Cellular immunity, also known as cell-mediated immunity, is mediated by T lymphocytes (T cells) and primarily targets intracellular pathogens, such as viruses and certain bacteria. T cells directly attack infected cells and help coordinate the immune response. On the other hand, humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies by B lymphocytes (B cells) to neutralize and eliminate extracellular pathogens, such as bacteria and toxins.
For example, let's consider a bacterial infection. In cellular immunity, specialized T cells recognize the presence of bacteria inside host cells and initiate a response to destroy the infected cells. In humoral immunity, B cells recognize the bacteria in the extracellular space and produce antibodies that bind to the bacteria, neutralizing them and marking them for destruction by other immune cells.
Overall, cellular immunity is focused on targeting intracellular pathogens, while humoral immunity is more concerned with eliminating extracellular pathogens. However, it's important to note that these two types of immunity are interconnected and work together to provide a comprehensive defense against infections.