What do we call immunity acquired through the body's own production of antibodies or activated T cells?

The correct answer is active immunity, which refers to the immune response that develops when the body produces its own antibodies or activated T cells in response to an infection or vaccination. This type of immunity is characterized by a longer-lasting effect compared to passive immunity because it involves the immune system's memory cells, which can quickly respond to subsequent exposures to the same pathogen.

Active immunity can be obtained through natural infection, where the body encounters and fights off a pathogen, or through vaccination, where an inactive or weakened form of the pathogen is introduced to stimulate the immune response without causing disease.

In contrast, passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, such as from mother to child through breast milk, which provides immediate but temporary protection. Natural immunity is a broader term that can encompass both active and passive immunity acquired through natural means, whereas adaptive immunity specifically refers to the immune response tailored to specific pathogens, which typically involves the active production of antibodies or T cells. While adaptive immunity is closely related to active immunity, it does not exclusively refer to the body's own antibody production and T cell activation.