Question

Active immunity may be produced by a. having a disease. b. receiving a vaccine. c. receiving gamma globulin injections. d. Both a and b are correct. e. Both b and c are correct.

Short answer

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is option d: Both a and b are correct. Active immunity may be produced by having a disease or receiving a vaccine.

Step-by-step solution

Understand active immunity

Active immunity is a type of immunity that occurs when the body produces its own antibodies to combat pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. This can be achieved by natural infection or by vaccination.

Analyze option a: Having a disease

When a person gets infected with a pathogen and successfully recovers, their immune system learns to recognize the specific pathogen and produces antibodies to fight against it. This is an example of active immunity as the body has actively generated its defense mechanism. So, option a is correct.

Analyze option b: Receiving a vaccine

Vaccination involves introducing a weakened or inactivated form of the pathogen into the body. The immune system then recognizes the foreign substance and produces antibodies to target it. Since this process involves the body actively producing its own antibodies, option b is also correct.

Analyze option c: Receiving gamma globulin injections

Gamma globulin injections provide passive immunity by supplying the body with antibodies that have been obtained from another person or animal. Because these antibodies are not produced by the body itself, this option does not qualify as active immunity. Thus, option c is incorrect.

Analyze the combined options

We can now evaluate the combined options. Option d states that both a and b are correct, which is true, as having a disease and receiving a vaccine can both result in active immunity. Option e states that both b and c are correct, but this is false since receiving gamma globulin injections is not an example of active immunity.

Identify the correct answer

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is option d: Both a and b are correct. Active immunity may be produced by having a disease or receiving a vaccine.