Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

What term describes the body's resistance to a particular pathogen?

1. Inflammation

2. Immunity

3. Phagocytosis

4. Antigenicity

The correct answer is: Immunity

The term that describes the body's resistance to a particular pathogen is immunity. Immunity refers to the body's ability to recognize, neutralize, and destroy pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. This resistance can be specific, targeting particular pathogens due to the presence of memory cells and antibodies produced in response to previous infections or vaccinations. Immunity can be classified into two main types: innate and acquired (or adaptive). Innate immunity is the body’s first line of defense, providing a general response to pathogens, while acquired immunity develops after exposure to specific pathogens and involves a more tailored immune response. This protective mechanism is crucial for maintaining health and preventing diseases caused by infectious agents. Inflammation, while it plays a role in the immune response, primarily serves as a localized reaction to infection or injury rather than a systemic resistance to pathogens. Phagocytosis refers to the process by which certain immune cells engulf and destroy pathogens, but this is a part of the immune response rather than the entire concept of resistance. Antigenicity describes the ability of a substance to provoke an immune response, particularly the recognition of foreign substances by the immune system, and is not synonymous with the overall capacity for resistance against pathogens.