Question

(i) What is immunity?
(ii) Write the difference between active immunity and passive immunity.
(iii) Explain passive immunization.
(iv) Draw the labeled diagram of the stages of the life cycle of Plasmodium in mosquito hosts.

Answer 1

Immunity is defined as the capability of the body to fight against certain harmful organisms. There are specific as well as non-specific components which are involved in the immunity. Immunity is a characteristic of multicellular organisms.

Complete answer:
(i) Immunity can be defined as a complex biological system endowed with the capacity to recognize and tolerate the harmful foreign particles and recognize whatever belongs to the self.

(ii)

Active immunity	Passive immunity
It is a type of immunity that occurs in response to the pathogen.	It is protection from various diseases by antibodies.
It is created inside the body of an organism.	It is created outside the body of an organism.
It requires previous exposure to the pathogen.	It does not require previous exposure to the pathogen.
Takes effect slowly.	Takes effect immediately.
It lasts long in our body.	It does not last long in our body.

(iii) Passive immunity is the immunity that is provided by antibodies which are created outside the body to fight against certain harmful pathogens. Passive immunity does not require previous exposure to the foreign agent and helps to effect immediately. This type of immunity does not last long and is taken timely during any disease.
(iv) Plasmodium is an obligate parasite of insects and vertebrates. It develops in a blood-feeding insect host and moves into vertebrates during the blood meal by the host insect. Parasite grows in the vertebrate body and affects red blood cells in the body.

(iv)

Note: Immunity of our body helps us to fight against harmful microbes which enter and disturb the functioning of our body. We can boost our immunity by exercising and having a healthy diet which will make us resistant towards many types of diseases.