What describes the body's capacity to resist infection?

• A. Infection
• B. Insulin response
• C. Immunity
• D. Vaccination

Answer: (C)

Immunity is the body's defense system that prevents or limits infections. It includes physical barriers like skin, plus immune cells and molecules such as white blood cells and antibodies that recognize and eliminate pathogens. The innate immune system provides quick, non-specific protection, while the adaptive immune system targets specific invaders and creates memory so future encounters are fought off more efficiently. Vaccination helps build immunity by safely introducing parts of a pathogen to train the immune system. All of this together describes the body's capacity to resist infection, whereas infection itself is the presence of pathogens, and vaccination is a way to develop that protective immunity.