Final answer:
The specific immune system is slower during the first encounter with a pathogen because it needs time to recognize and mount a targeted response. This involves the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, as well as the production of specific antibodies to counter the pathogen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The immune system consists of two mechanisms: the non-specific or innate immune response, which is rapid but not always effective, and the specific or adaptive immune response, which is slower during the initial encounter with a pathogen but highly effective at attacking a wide variety of pathogens.
One reason the specific immune system is slower is because it needs time to recognize and mount a targeted response to the specific pathogen. This involves the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, which are specialized immune cells that recognize and attack specific pathogens. This process takes longer compared to the non-specific immune response, which can start acting immediately.
Additionally, the specific immune response involves the production of antibodies to target the specific pathogen. Producing antibodies takes time as the immune system needs to recognize the unique antigens on the pathogen's surface and generate the appropriate antibody response.