Final answer:
The red, warm, and swollen nature of Mary's mosquito bite indicates she is experiencing the inflammatory response, which is part of the innate immune system.
Therefore the correct answer is option is C. the inflammatory response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mary's mosquito bite being red, warm, and swollen indicates that she is experiencing the effects of C. the inflammatory response. Inflammation is a basic innate immune response characterized by heat, redness, pain, and swelling. It results from the movement of leukocytes and fluid through opened capillaries to a site of infection, which is a natural defense of the body to establish a physical barrier against the spread of infection and initiate tissue repair.
Chemicals such as cytokines and histamines trigger this response, causing capillaries to dilate and become more permeable, resulting in increased blood flow and swelling at the affected area.