The transfer of antibodies from breast milk to an infant is an example of ________ immunity.?

Question

1. passive
2. humoral
3. cell-mediated
4. nonspecific

Answer 1

"PASSIVE NATURALLY ACQUIRED IMMUNITY = This occurs when individuals receive antibodies from their mother by a natural process, such as in BREAST MILK or in-utero transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus. In mammals, mother's milk is know to contain a large concentration of antibodies and other antiviral and antibacterial substance that protect the newborn infants. Further, the mother's antibodies cross the placental barrier, particularly near the end of term. In both these circumstances the infant is only resistant to whatever the mother is resistant to."

http://www.slic2.wsu.edu:82/hurlbert/micro101/pages/Chap15.html

Answer 2

1.
Passive immunity is the transfer of active humoral immunity in the form of readymade antibodies, from one individual to another. Passive immunity can occur naturally, when maternal antibodies are transferred to the fetus through the placenta, and can also be induced artificially, when high levels of human (or horse) antibodies specific for a pathogen or toxin are transferred to non-immune individuals. Passive immunization is used when there is a high risk of infection and insufficient time for the body to develop its own immune response, or to reduce the symptoms of ongoing or immunosuppressive diseases.[1]