Page 106 - Primary Five Science

Immunization

Immunity is the ability of the body to re-

sist a particular infection or toxin by the

action of specific antibodies or white

blood cells.

In simple terms, immunity is the body’s

ability to resist diseases causing germs.

.
Types of Immunity

1. Natural immunity

2. Artificial immunity / acquired

Natural Immunity

The body acquires natural immunity in two ways
.

1. Mother to child

a. A Pregnant woman may pass on antibodies to her unborn baby.

b. A newly born baby can get natural immunity through the moth-

er’s breast milk during suckling
c. This kind of natural immunity is called maternal immunity.
.

2. Immunity from sickness

When one gets a disease, the body produces antibodies to fight the

disease causing germs for that disease.

Antibodies are substances produced by the body to neutralize or
destroy toxins or disease-carrying organisms. Each group of Anti-

bodies only target specific diseases for which they are produced.