The three lines of immune defense are:
1. First line of defense: This includes the physical and mechanical barriers, such as the skin, mucous membranes, and cilia lining the respiratory tract. Biochemical barriers, such as stomach acid and enzymes, also play a role in this first line of defense.
2. Second line of defense: The second line of defense includes the responses to infection by the body’s immune system. These responses work to recognize, fight off, and eliminate any foreign substances that have breached the first line of defense.
3. Third line of defense: The third line of defense includes the inflammatory process, which has several goals. These goals are to eliminate the infectious agent, neutralize any toxins released by the invader, and repair damaged tissues.