Final answer:
Passive immunity is acquired when prepared antibodies are administered through an injection, providing immediate but temporary protection unlike active immunity, which involves a response generated by the person's own immune system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of immunity that results from the administration of prepared antibodies by injection is passive immunity. Unlike active immunity, which is generated when an individual's immune system actively responds to a pathogen or a vaccination, passive immunity is acquired when antibodies are transferred to a person from an external source. This form of immunity offers immediate protection, as it does not require the body to mount its own response, but it is temporary because the transferred antibodies only last for a limited time in the bloodstream.
An example of passive immunity is the administration of antiserum containing antibodies to a person after exposure to a disease, such as giving rabies antibodies to someone who has been bitten by a rabid dog. In contrast, active immunity would involve the person's immune system producing antibodies in response to a vaccine or natural infection, leading to longer-lasting protection and the development of immunological memory. Therefore, passive immunity can be crucial in providing immediate, short-term protection against pathogens.