Question

________ immunity occurs when antibodies from one individual are harvested and given to another to protect against disease or treat active disease.

Short answer

The type of immunity described is passive immunity.

Step-by-step solution

Identification of Immunity Type

To find the type of immunity described, we have to identify the process where antibodies from one individual are transferred to another. This process is called passive immunity because the recipient's immune system is not producing its own antibodies, but rather they are passively received from another source.

Examples of Passive Immunity

Examples of passive immunity include the transfer of antibodies from mother to child through breastfeeding, or the injection of antibodies, such as antivenoms for snake bites or immunoglobulins to prevent disease after exposure.

Contrast with Active Immunity

Contrast this with active immunity, where an individual's own immune system actively produces antibodies in response to exposure to a pathogen or to a vaccine.

Key concepts

Understanding Antibody Transfer

The concept of antibody transfer relates directly to a form of protection called passive immunity. In everyday life, this often occurs naturally when a mother transfers antibodies to her newborn through placental blood during pregnancy or through breast milk. These antibodies are crucial as they provide the infant with immediate, temporary protection against pathogens.

Medically, antibody transfer can be intentional. For instance, people may receive antibody-rich injections, known as immunoglobulins, to prevent illness after being exposed to disease or to neutralize toxins from snake bites. Here, preformed antibodies are 'borrowed' from another individual or species and given to a person who needs immediate protection. As these antibodies aren't made by the recipient's own immune system, the protection provided is temporary. This type of immune support is invaluable in emergency situations where the body does not have enough time to develop its own immune response.

Active Immunity Explained

In contrast to passive immunity, active immunity is the immune response generated by an individual's own body. It occurs when a person is exposed to a live pathogen, or a component of a pathogen, and the immune system responds by producing antibodies and memory cells. This process can happen naturally during an infection or can be prompted through vaccination.

Vaccinations are a prime example of how active immunity can be safely attained. They expose an individual's immune system to a weakened or dead pathogen or to a harmless component of the pathogen (like a protein), which stimulates an immune response without causing illness. The real advantage of active immunity lies in its longevity. Because the body learns to recognize and combat the pathogen, the protection afforded by active immunity is generally much longer-lasting compared to passive immunity, and can often last for years or even a lifetime.

Role of Immunoglobulins

The term immunoglobulins (Ig) refers to a group of proteins, commonly known as antibodies, that play a pivotal role in the immune response. Immunoglobulins are produced by plasma cells—a type of white blood cell—and are found in all body fluids. They are highly specialized molecules that target specific antigens, such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins.

• IgG is the most abundant type in circulation, providing the majority of antibody-based immunity against invading pathogens.
• IgM is best known for its form as the first antibody produced in response to infection.
• IgA is found in mucous membranes, protecting body surfaces that are exposed to foreign substances.
• IgE is associated with allergic reactions and protection against parasitic worms.
• IgD, which exists in smaller amounts, plays a role in the initiation of immune responses.

Each immunoglobulin has a specific role in the immune process, and immunization strategies can harness these roles to protect the health of the public. When a person receives immunoglobulins from another source, this contributes to passive immunity. However, active immunity involves the person’s own body producing these immunoglobulins in response to pathogens or vaccines.