NEETZoologyHuman Health and Diseases
Why is mother's milk considered essential for a newborn infant?
Options
- AIt has abundant antibodies (IgA) to protect the infant
- BIt is yellowish fluid
- CIt is secreted by mother during the initial days of lactation
- DIt is the only source of nutrition for the infant
Correct answer
A. It has abundant antibodies (IgA) to protect the infant
Step-by-step solution
Active immunity is slow and takes time to give its full effective response when a host is exposed to antigens .Passive immunity is the term used for the process of injecting ready-made antibodies to protect the body against foreign agents. Mother's milk is considered essential for a newborn infant because it has abundant antibodies (IgA) to protect the infant. The foetus receives some antibodies from its mother through the placenta during pregnancy. These are an example of passive immunity.