(i) Certain types of leukocytes (WBCs), such as polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL), neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer cells [NK cells] (a type of lymphocytes) in the blood as well as macrophages in tissues can phagocytose and destroy microbes
(ii) Besides the phagocytes there are natural killer cells (NK cells) in the body which kills virus infected and some tumor cells.
(iii) These cells are categorized under the cellular barriers.

In the 1950s, experiments conducted by Porter and Edelman revealed the basic structure of the immunoglobulin.
An antibody molecule is Y shaped structure that comprises of four polypeptide chains, two identical light chains (L) of molecular weight 25,000 Da (approximately 214 amino acids) and two identical heavy chains (H) of molecular weight 50,000 Da (approximately 450 amino acids). The polypeptide chains are linked together by di-sulphide (S-S) bonds. One light chain is attached to each heavy chain and two heavy chains are attached to each other to form a Y shaped structure. Hence, an antibody is represented by H₂L₂.
The heavy chains have a flexible hinge region at their approximate middles.
Each chain (L and H) has two terminals. They are C - terminal (Carboxyl) (or) -COOH and amino or N-terminal (or NH₂). Each chain (L and H) has two regions and they have variable (V) region at one end and a much larger constant (C) region at the other end.
Antibodies responding to different antigens have very different (V) regions but their (C) regions are the same in all antibodies.
In each arm of the monomer antibody, the (V) : regions of the heavy and light chains combine to form an antigen - binding site shaped to 'fit' a specific antigenic determinant.
Consequently each antibody monomer has two such antigen - binding regions.
The (C) regions that forms the stem of the antibody class and serve common functions in all antibodies.
The functions of immunoglobulin are agglutination, precipitation, opsonisation neutralization etc.

(i) A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease and resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or attenuated or killed forms of the microbes, their toxins, or one of its surface proteins.
(ii) Vaccines "teach" our body how to defend itself when viruses or bacteria, invade it.
(iii) Vaccine initiates the immunization process. The vaccines are classified as first, second and third generation vaccines.
First generation vaccine:
(i) First generation vaccine is further subdivided into live attenuated vaccine, killed vaccine and toxoids.
(ii) Live attenuated live vaccines use the weakened (attenuated), aged, less virulent form of the virus
(iii) Eg. Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, killed (inactivated) vaccines are killed or inactivated by heat and other methods. Eg. Salk's polio vaccine.
(iv) Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin or chemical secreted by the bacteria or virus.
(v) They make us immune to the harmful effects of the infection, instead of to the infection itself.
(vi) Eg. DPT vaccine (Diphtheria, pertussis and Tetanus), (Triple antigen).
Second generation vaccine: contains the pure surface antigen of the Pathogen. :
Eg. Hepatitis-B vaccine 
Third generation vaccine: contains the purest and the highest potency vaccines which are synthetic in generation. The latest revolution in vaccine is DNA vaccine (or) recombinant vaccine

Autoimmunity is due to an abnormal immune response in which the immune system fails to properly distinguish between self and non-self and attacks its own body. Our body produces antibodies (autoantibodies) and cytotoxic T cells that destroy our own tissues. If disease-state results, it is referred to as auto-immune disease.
Thus, autoimmunity is a misdirected immune response. Eg., Rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis

(i) A simple blood test is available that can determine whether the person has been infected with HIV.
(ii) The ELISA test (Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay) detects the presence of HIV antibodies.
(iii) It is a preliminary test. Western blot test is more reliable and a confirmatory test.
(iv) It detects the viral core proteins. If both tests detect the presence of the antibodies, the person is considered to be HIV positive.