3.06 Active and Passive Immunity

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task
• Unit Vocab
• Course Vocab

Introduction

You can become immune to a specific disease in several ways. For example, in illnesses, such as mumps and chickenpox, having the disease usually leads to long term immunity to it. Vaccination is another way to become immune to a disease. Both ways of gaining immunity, either from having an illness or from vaccination, are examples of active immunity.

Passive immunity occurs when a person is given someone else’s antibodies. When these antibodies are introduced into the person’s body, the “loaned” antibodies help prevent or fight certain infectious diseases. The protection offered by passive immunization is short-lived, usually lasting only a few weeks or months. But it helps protect right away.

In this lesson, we will discuss the differencees in active and passive immunity.

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to... Distinguish between active and passive immunity. Enduring Understandings The immune/lymphatic system is composed of lymphatic organs and white blood cells that work together to fight pathogenic organisms. Disorders and diseases of the immune system are a result of disruption of the homeostatic mechanisms within the immune system. The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Anatomy and Physiology standards: 12 and 12a.