What type of immunity is developed after exposure to a pathogen?

The correct answer is natural immunity, which is the type of immunity that develops following exposure to a pathogen. This immunity relies on the body’s ability to recognize and remember specific pathogens after an initial exposure, leading to a stronger and quicker response upon subsequent encounters with the same pathogen. This is achieved through the adaptive immune system, which produces specific antibodies and activates T-cells that can target the pathogen.

Natural immunity can develop through infection, where the immune system encounters the pathogen directly, or through everyday exposure to pathogens within the environment. This process helps the body build a more robust defense against diseases it has previously encountered.

In contrast, passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, offering short-term protection without the recipient's immune system having to produce its own antibodies. Innate immunity refers to the body's first line of defense against pathogens, which includes physical barriers and non-specific immune responses that do not involve memory of specific pathogens. Artificial immunity, on the other hand, is achieved through medical interventions, such as vaccinations, where exposure to a harmless part of the pathogen stimulates an immune response.