BIO qeustion about Passive and Active immunity.

[potbelly]

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Hi all,

I am little confused about immunity.

How should I differentiate passive and active immunity easily??
The only thing I know (prob memorize) is that Vaccine is an example of active immunity and gamma globulin/antibodies passed from mother during pregnancy is that of passive immunity..

Can someone explain and compare between these two immunities?

THanks in advance.

 

[razblo]

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Active_immunity

A type of immunity or resistance developed in an organism by its own production of antibodies in response to an exposure to an antigen, a pathogen or to a vaccine.

http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Passive_immunity

A type of immunity acquired by the transfer of antibody from one individual to another, such as from mother to offspring.

 

[BaylorDDS]

Active immunity means YOUR body created antibodies or YOUR t-cells or YOUR macrophages attack the foreign material. (Get the idea YOUR body was ACTIVELY involved in getting rid of the antigens).

Passive immunity means something other than you fought off the infection. Like your MOM'S antibodies thorugh breast milk attacked the invaders, gamma globulin (antibodies from some one else) attacked the invaders.

Vaccines are not passive immunity however. because what happens when you inject a vaccine into your system? YOU create antibodies to the vaccine (the vaccine is similar in structure to the foreign material). So when the foreign stuff gets in your body, YOUR antibodies can mount a quick response to get rid of the infection.

 

[potbelly]

Thank you very much guys =)

 

[Jongho Yoon]

active = your body makes antibodies in response to antigens (vaccines are simply put antigens)

passive = you receive antibodies