Comparing Active Immunity and Passive Immunity:
Active Immunity:
Protection Origin: Originates from the body’s response to antigens, leading to antibody production and memory cell formation.
Duration of Protection: Offers prolonged defense, often for years or a lifetime.
Induction: Triggered by exposure to a pathogen through infection or vaccination.
Primary Response: Initial immune response is slower as antibodies and memory cells are generated.
Memory Cells: Results in the creation of memory cells, ensuring a quicker and more robust reaction upon subsequent exposure.
Passive Immunity:
Protection Origin: Derives from the direct transfer of pre-formed antibodies or immune components.
Duration of Protection: Provides short-term defense, typically lasting weeks to months as received antibodies gradually degrade.
Induction: Induced by directly transferring antibodies from a donor to a recipient.
Primary Response: Immediate protection without the need for the body to produce antibodies or memory cells.
Memory Cells: Does not involve the formation of memory cells, leading to a lack of long-term immune memory.