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How can you explain that the same antibodies found in an infant’s body are also present in the infant’s mother? a. Antibodies produced in the mother’s body are passed to the infant via passive immunity through breast milk. b. Antibodies produced in the mother’s body are passed to the infant via active immunity through breast milk. c. Antibodies produced in the mother’s body are passed to the infant via passive immunity through the placenta. d. Antibodies produced in the infant’s body are passed to the mother through the placenta.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The correct answers are a and c, which involve passive immunity through breast milk and the placenta.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Passive vs. Active Immunity

Passive immunity involves the direct transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, providing immediate but temporary protection. Active immunity involves an individual's immune system producing antibodies in response to a pathogen, which provides long-term protection.
02

Identify Possible Routes of Antibody Transfer

Consider the two ways antibodies can be transferred from mother to infant: through the placenta before birth and through breast milk after birth.
03

Evaluate the Options

Option a involves passive immunity through breast milk. Option b incorrectly describes this process as active immunity. Option c involves passive immunity through the placenta. Option d incorrectly suggests antibodies move from infant to mother through the placenta.
04

Select the Correct Answer

Since antibodies can be transferred from the mother to the infant through both the placenta (during pregnancy) and breast milk (after birth), the correct options must involve passive immunity. Therefore, the correct answers are a and c.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Antibody Transfer
Antibody transfer is a process where antibodies are transferred from one individual to another. This is crucial in passive immunity, where the recipient gets immediate, but short-term protection. For infants, antibody transfer happens primarily through the placenta during pregnancy and breast milk after birth.

In placental transfer, maternal antibodies cross the placenta to reach the developing fetus. This transfer provides the infant with some degree of immunity before they are even born.

Breastfeeding plays a key role as well. The mother’s milk contains antibodies that help protect the newborn against infections. Understanding these processes highlights how nature has built-in mechanisms to shield infants from diseases during their early life stages.
Breast Milk Immunity
Breast milk is more than just nutrition for an infant. It’s a complex fluid loaded with antibodies, especially Immunoglobulin A (IgA). These antibodies offer protection against pathogens that the infant might encounter after birth.

When the mother is exposed to infections, her immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies are then passed on to the baby through breast milk, providing passive immunity. Passive immunity from breast milk is crucial in the early months of life when the infant’s own immune system is still developing.

Besides antibodies, breast milk also contains other immune cells and factors which support the infant’s immune system. It not only protects the baby from immediate threats but also helps in the maturation of their own immune response.
Placental Immunity
Placental immunity refers to the transfer of antibodies from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. This occurs primarily during the last trimester of pregnancy. The placenta acts as an interface, allowing Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to pass from mother to fetus.

This type of passive immunity ensures that the baby has a supply of antibodies from the moment they are born, providing protection against infections in the early days of life. The maternal antibodies offer a shield until the infant’s own immune system starts to generate its protection.

Placental antibody transfer is a natural support system for newborns, securing them against pathogens during their initial exposure to the external environment.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The human genome contains less than 50,000 genes, yet a human has the capability of producing more than 1012different antibody molecules. How can this evidence be used to support the claim that the human body has an immune system that is both effective and efficient? a. There are so many different antibody molecules that can be made, each of which can specifically target a particular pathogen to destroy it. This specificity makes the immune system more effective. The immune system is also efficient because each antibody need to have its own gene. b. There are so many different antibody molecules that can be made, each of which can nonspecifically target a particular pathogen to destroy it. This non-specificity makes the immune system more effective. The immune system is also efficient because each antibody does not need to have its own gene. c. There are so many different antibody molecules that can be made, each of which can specifically target a particular pathogen to destroy it. This specificity makes the immune system more efficient. The immune system is also effective because each antibody does not need to have its own gene. d. There are so many different antibody molecules that can be made, each of which can specifically target a particular pathogen to destroy it. This specificity makes the immune system more effective. The immune system is also efficient because each antibody does not need to have its own gene.

What is the composition of major histocompatibility class (MHC) I molecules? a. lipids b. nucleic acids c. carbohydrates d. proteins

Why might different MHC I molecules between donor and recipient cells lead to rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue? a. The natural killer cells in the recipient will identify the MHC I molecules on transplanted organ as non-self proteins, causing lysis of transplanted cells. Other host cells will join to phagocytize the foreign cells. b. The neutrophils in the recipient will identify the MHC I molecules on transplanted organ as nonself proteins, causing lysis of transplanted cells. Other host cells will join to phagocytize the foreign cells. c. B lymphocytes in the recipient will identify the MHC I molecules on transplanted organ as nonself proteins. The foreign cells will then be engulfed and destroyed by B lymphocytes. d. The macrophages in the recipient will identify the MHC I molecules on transplanted organ as non-self proteins, causing lysis of transplanted cells. Other host cells will join to phagocytize the foreign cells.

How does inflammation develop? a. Inflammation is induced by molecules such as cytokines and histamine that are produced by various host cells in response to pathogens at the site of injury or infection. b. During inflammation, all blood cells retreat from the site of infection in order to protect the circulatory system from pathogen infection. c. Inflammation is an ongoing condition in the human body, part of the way that the innate immune system can respond immediately to an infection. d. When an infection occurs, an immediate inflammatory response occurs as soon as pathogens enter the body.

Describe the difference between the mammalian cellmediated and humoral responses to a pathogen. Include in your description the roles of antigens and antibodies, Tcells, B-cells, inoculation with vaccines, and the relative response times.

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