Question

Define immunity. Describe different ways to develop immunity. Write the differences between active and passive immunity.

Answer 1

Active immunity	Passive immunity
Developed actively by the immune system when it comes in contact with a pathogen or its antibody.	Developed passively by the immune system when antibodies are injected into the body.
The process of developing immunity is slower.	It is a faster response.
The effect lasts for a longer period.	The effect lasts for a shorter period.
Involves both cell-mediated and humoral immunity.	Generated by injected antibodies.
E.g: vaccination leads to the development of passive immunity.	E.g: colostrum (mother's milk), tetanus injection.

Whenever a foreign pathogen enters the body the immune system generates specific cells to fight against the pathogen and protect the body from the diseases. This system of providing protection to the body is known as immunity i.e the ability of the body to defend itself against diseases is known as immunity. Few of the ways to develop immunity are:

• Vaccination: Vaccine helps provide immunity to a few of the deadly diseases. In vaccination, an attenuated form of the pathogen is given to the person so that it does not cause the infection but the immune system does generate an immune response against it. This will help the memory cells function more efficiently in future cases of infection by the pathogen and thereby generate a faster response.
• Sleep deprivation causes the immune system to get weaker. Therefore, getting sufficient sleep can help generate immunity.
• Exercising and eating healthy can boost the immune system.
• Smoking weakens the defences of the body, cutting down on smoking and reducing the caffeine intake can help develop immunity.
• Adding probiotics to the diet can help improve the immune system by increasing healthy bacteria that help the digestive system, immune repair, and immune defence.