What type of immunity is partly inherited and partly developed through lifestyle choices?

Natural immunity is the type of immunity that is both inherited and developed through lifestyle choices. This form of immunity is comprised of two aspects: innate immunity, which a person is born with and includes physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes, as well as immune system components that provide an immediate defense against pathogens. The second aspect, acquired natural immunity, develops over time as a result of exposure to various pathogens, allowing the body to remember and effectively combat previously encountered infections.

Lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and exposure to infections, can strengthen or weaken the body’s natural defenses, illustrating the dynamic nature of this immunity. For instance, a healthy lifestyle can enhance the effectiveness of the immune system, making it better at responding to diseases and infections. In contrast, poor lifestyle choices can impair immune function, leading to higher susceptibility to illness.

Other forms of immunity, such as artificial immunity (which involves vaccination or immune globulin injections), passive immunity (which is the temporary immunity gained through external sources like maternal antibodies), and active immunity (which develops as a result of exposure to antigens and leads to a long-lasting immune response) do not embody the blend of inherited traits and lifestyle choices in the same way that natural immunity does.