Final answer:
Immunity refers to the ability to resist infection by pathogens, with 'susceptibility' as an antonym and 'resistance' as a synonym. Active immunity involves the production of antibodies and memory cells after pathogen exposure, while passive immunity is the transfer of antibodies from another source.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immunity is the biological term for an organism's ability to resist infection by a pathogen. An antonym for immunity could be susceptibility or vulnerability, indicating the likelihood of being affected by a disease. A synonym could be resistance, which refers to the ability to withstand infection or disease.
Active Immunity vs. Passive Immunity
There are two main types of immunity: active immunity and passive immunity. Active immunity occurs when an individual produces antibodies in response to exposure to a pathogen or a vaccine, leading to the formation of memory cells that provide long-term protection. Passive immunity, on the other hand, involves the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, such as from mother to child through breast milk or by the administration of antibody-containing serum, providing immediate but temporary protection.
Vaccination is a method to achieve active immunity artificially by exposing the body to a pathogen 'pretending' to cause the disease, stimulating the immune system to respond. This exposure to a weakened or dead pathogen or part of it sparks an immune response where the body creates memory cells for future defenses against the pathogen without causing the illness.