Question

The given flow chart shows classification of acquired immunity. What types of immunity will be developed by the persons x and y?
X: a person who has recovered from the attack of measles.
Y: a person who is given anti-tetanus serum.

A) X-A (i), Y-B (i)
B) X-B (i), Y-A (ii)
C) X-B (ii), Y-A (ii)
D) X-A (i), Y-A (ii)

Answer 1

Hint: The capability of multicellular organisms to provide protection from any harmful foreign microorganisms is known as immunity. It is a sort of complex biological system that helps any organism to get immune against pathogens and some diseases. Both specific and non-specific types of components are involved in immunity. Basically, immunity is of two main types-
1.Innate Immunity.
2.Acquired or adaptive Immunity.

Complete answer:Acquired immunity which is also known as adaptive immune system as it is acquired by the individual after birth. This type of immune response is pathogen-specific.
Acquired immunity can be classified as-
a) Active immunity: When the organism is exposed to an antigen whether living or dead microbes or proteins, antibodies are produced in response in the body of the host. This type of immunity is slow and is further classified into two types-
1.Natural active immunity: It is acquired when the antigen enters the body naturally, i.e., through natural infection. An individual who has recovered from diseases like smallpox, mumps, or measles gets such immunity.
2.Artificial active immunity: This immunity is induced by taking vaccines.
b) Passive immunity: This type of immunity is gained when ready-made antibodies are directly given to the individual against the foreign particles. This immunity type is categorized into two subtypes-
1.Natural passive immunity: Colostrum, a yellowish fluid secreted by the mother during the initial few days of lactation, helps to protect the infant as it contains an abundance of antibodies (IgA type). Through the placenta, IgG type immunity passes to the fetus from their mother.
2.Artificial passive immunity: In this immunity type, antibodies are directly injected into the body, e.g., anti-tetanus serum (ATS), anti-venom given after snake bite.
Therefore, from the above-given information, it can be conferred that the person “x” has been given natural active immunity, while the person “y” has been administered with artificial passive immunity.
Therefore, the correct option is (B), X-B (i), Y-A (ii)

Note:In simpler words it can be said that active immunity implies when our very own immune system gives protection to us from any foreign ailment this immunity is developed due to self-production of antibodies, whereas; passive immunity is when we gain immunity against a pathogen from some other means, i.e., the antibodies are produced somewhere outside the body and then gets introduced into the host’s body.