Which type of immunity occurs when ready-made antibodies are introduced into the body, such as through breast milk?

• A. Active humoral immunity
• B. Passive cellular immunity
• C. Passive humoral immunity
• D. Autoimmune immunity

Answer: (C)

Ready-made antibodies introduced into the body create passive humoral immunity. In this type, protection comes from antibodies that the body did not produce itself, supplied from another source. Breast milk provides maternal antibodies (primarily secretory IgA) to the infant, offering immediate protection at mucosal surfaces. This protection is usually temporary because there’s no lasting immune memory formed by the recipient. Humoral refers to antibodies circulating in body fluids. This differs from active humoral immunity, where the person’s own B cells generate antibodies after infection or vaccination, and from cellular immunity, which is mediated by T cells rather than antibodies. Autoimmune immunity is unrelated to antibody transfer.