Describe the two ways humoral immunity may be acquired, and describe the active and passive forms of each

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Both active and passive forms of humoral immunity may be acquired through either natural or artificial means. Active immunity involves the patient generating their own immune response, specifically the production of memory cells and high antibody titers. Passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies made by another host to an individual. Because the individual did not generate the response themselves, the immunity only lasts as long as the antibodies remain in circulation, usually only a few days to weeks. Natural active immunity occurs when a patient contracts an infection and generates an effective immune response to that infection. Artificial active immunity is generated through vaccination. Natural passive immunity is the transfer of antibodies from a mother to her unborn child as the mother's IgG antibodies cross the placenta, or to the baby after birth through breastfeeding. This protects the baby until its own immune systems is fully functional. Artificial passive immunity involves the medical transfer of antibodies generated by the exposure of another host (person or animal) to an antigen. Examples of this include antivenom treatment for snakebites, antitoxin treatment, or an effort to treat the victim of an otherwise incurable disease using antibodies from a survivor.