Short-lived immunity acquired from mother to foetus across placenta or through mother's milk to the infant is categorised as :-
A
Active immunity
B
Passive immunity
C
Cellular immunity
D
Innate non-specific immunity
The answer is B.
Solution
In active immunity, the body makes its own antibodies after exposure to an antigen (infection or vaccination). It develops slowly but lasts long. In passive immunity, ready-made antibodies are received from outside. It acts immediately but is short-lived, because the body does not make these antibodies itself. IgG antibodies pass from the mother to the foetus across the placenta, and IgA antibodies pass to the infant through colostrum (the first milk). These protect the newborn for a few months. So this short-lived immunity is passive immunity (natural passive immunity).
ConceptMaternal antibodies give passive immunity
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