10.1.8

Passive Immunity

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Active and Passive Immunity

Active immunity to a pathogen involves the body producing its own antibodies to defend itself against a pathogen. Passive immunity involves receiving antibodies for a pathogen from another source.

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Active immunity

  • Our bodies can be triggered to produce antibodies through natural exposure to a pathogen or through exposure to a pathogen from vaccination.
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Passive immunity

  • Babies receive antibodies from their mothers through breast-milk. This is an example of passive immunity.
  • Unlike active immunity, no memory cells are produced in passive immunity, so this immune defence doesn't last as long as active immunity.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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