Immunity Types: Active and Passive

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of artificial active immunity?

Artificially making people immune to a disease without ever having caught it.

The process of artificial active immunity involves injecting a modified ______.

antigen

What happens after the primary immune system response is stimulated by vaccination?

The immune system produces memory cells.

What is herd immunity?

Vaccination of a significant portion of a population provides a measure of protection for individuals who haven't developed immunity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of passive immunity?

Injecting antibodies against certain pathogens into the blood. Signup and view all the answers

When is passive immunity used?

When someone has already been infected with a pathogen. Signup and view all the answers

What role do antibodies play in passive immunity?

Antibodies assist with the body's normal immune response and help it deal with serious diseases. Signup and view all the answers

How are antibodies prepared for passive immunity?

From the blood serum of an infected human or made by genetic engineering. Signup and view all the answers

How can passive immunity occur naturally?

Mother passes her antibodies to her child across the placenta or in the colostrum. Signup and view all the answers

Why are immunoglobulin proteins absorbed intact into a baby?

Because the baby's digestive system does not function yet. Signup and view all the answers

How is active immunity naturally acquired?

Antigens enter the body naturally, and the body produces antibodies and specialized lymphocytes. Signup and view all the answers

How is passive immunity naturally acquired?

Antigens pass from the mother by the placenta or through maternal breast milk. Signup and view all the answers

How is active immunity artificially acquired?

Weakened or dead antigens are introduced in vaccines. Signup and view all the answers

How is passive immunity artificially acquired?

Preformed antibodies in the immune system are introduced into the body by injections. Signup and view all the answers

What are some ethical issues of vaccination? (Select all that apply)

Side effects (long term harm worth the risk?) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of human testing related to vaccination?

Injected cow pox into a child to see results. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Artificial Active Immunity

Defined as the process of creating immunity to a disease through vaccination without prior exposure to the disease.
Involves injecting a modified antigen that is non-virulent, stimulating an initial immune response.
The immune system generates memory cells, enabling a more robust secondary response upon actual exposure to the pathogen.
Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population is vaccinated, protecting unvaccinated individuals.

Passive Immunity

Involves the injection of antibodies directly into the bloodstream to combat specific pathogens.
Employed when an individual has already contracted an illness, providing immediate assistance to the immune system.
Antibodies support the immune response and are crucial in managing severe illnesses.
Can be derived from an infected person's blood serum or created through genetic engineering.

Natural Passive Immunity

Mothers transfer antibodies to their babies either through the placenta during pregnancy or via colostrum during breastfeeding.
This transfer helps newborns survive in environments with a high presence of pathogens.
Antibodies are absorbed intact into the baby's system because their digestive system is not fully functional at birth.

Active and Passive Immunity Acquisition

Active immunity can be acquired naturally when antigens enter the body, prompting the production of antibodies and specialized lymphocytes.
Re-exposure to a previously encountered pathogen results in immunity without clinical signs of disease.
Passive immunity may also occur naturally through maternal transmission of antibodies.
For artificial acquisition of active immunity, weakened or dead antigens are introduced via vaccines, stimulating antibody production.
Artificial passive immunity involves administering preformed antibodies through injections.

Ethical Issues in Vaccination

Controversies exist surrounding animal testing, with debates about its acceptability.
Concerns regarding potential long-term side effects of vaccines and their associated risks.
Ethical dilemmas arise around human testing: selecting trial participants and the implications of unknown health risks.
The issue of compulsory vaccination fosters debate on individual rights and the grounds for opting out.
Questions about the financial justification of vaccination programs versus funding for other disease treatments.

Historical Example of Human Testing

Smallpox vaccination originated from observing milkmaids who contracted cowpox but did not catch smallpox, leading to the practice of injecting cowpox to test immunity.

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Description

Explore the different types of immunity in this quiz focused on Artificial Active Immunity, Passive Immunity, and Natural Passive Immunity. Understand how vaccines stimulate the immune response and how antibodies can provide immediate protection against diseases. Test your knowledge on these crucial immunological concepts!