Electrolysis Practice Exam

What is the body's ability to resist invasion and destroy bacteria called?

1. Resistance

2. Immunity

3. Deficiency

4. Recovery

The correct answer is: Immunity

The body's ability to resist invasion and destroy bacteria is referred to as immunity. This term encompasses the various mechanisms that the immune system employs to identify and neutralize pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. The immune response can be innate, comprising general defenses at birth, or adaptive, developing over time as the body encounters specific pathogens. Immunity involves several components, including white blood cells, antibodies, and the lymphatic system, all working in concert to protect against illness. The specificity and memory aspects of the adaptive immune response mean that once the body has been exposed to a particular pathogen, it is better equipped to deal with future encounters, effectively improving its defensive capabilities. The other terms in the choices have different meanings: resistance typically refers to the general ability to withstand an infection or disease without specifying the mechanisms involved; deficiency might imply a lack of adequate immune function; and recovery pertains to the process of healing after an illness, rather than the active defense against pathogens. Thus, immunity is the most accurate term in describing the body’s ability to combat bacterial invasion.