What type of immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from one animal to another?

Passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from one animal to another. This type of immunity is typically achieved when an individual receives antibodies produced by another organism. For example, a mother can provide passive immunity to her offspring through the colostrum in her milk, which contains high levels of antibodies essential for the young animal's initial disease protection.

This immunity is often short-term, as the transferred antibodies will not remain in the recipient’s body for an extended period. Unlike active immunity, where the recipient's immune system is stimulated to produce its own antibodies in response to an antigen, passive immunity provides immediate, but temporary, protection.

Understanding passive immunity is essential for recognizing how young animals are protected early in life and the importance of maternal antibodies in preventing disease before the animal's immune system fully develops.