Final answer:
The adaptive immune response is activated when the infection outruns the innate immune response, involving specific defenses like antibody production and T cell activation, particularly by cytokine-releasing Helper T cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the infection outruns the innate immune response, this activates the adaptive immune response. The innate immune system serves as a first responder but when it cannot clear an infection effectively, the adaptive immune system is informed and engaged. The activation of the adaptive immune response includes the development of highly specific defenses against pathogens, such as the production of antibodies by B cells and the activation of T cells. In particular, Helper T cells are known to release cytokines that activate much of the adaptive and nonadaptive immune systems during infection, leading to a more robust and targeted attack on the pathogen.
This intricate system of defense showcases how the cellular and humoral components of the immune system operate in concert to protect the body. It highlights the immune system's immunological plasticity, which allows it to calibrate responses based on the type and severity of the infection, ultimately aiming to achieve pathogen clearance from the body, a process that can be observed through seroconversion.