NEET2026BiologyChapterActual
Which of the following statements correctly describes a defining feature of acquired immunity?
Options
- AIt provides a non-specific, generalized defense mechanism against various infectious agents.
- BThe primary response generated upon initial exposure to a pathogen is of high intensity.
- CIt relies on the retention of immunological memory to mount an anamnestic response upon re-infection.
- DIt is an innate trait consisting of cellular and cytokine barriers present since birth.
Correct answer
C. It relies on the retention of immunological memory to mount an anamnestic response upon re-infection.
Step-by-step solution
Acquired immunity is pathogen-specific and is characterized by immunological memory. When our body encounters a pathogen for the first time, it produces a primary response which is of low intensity. Subsequent encounters with the same pathogen elicit a highly intensified secondary or anamnestic response. This is based on the fact that our body appears to have memory of the first encounter. Option (A) describes innate immunity, which is non-specific. Option (B) is incorrect because the primary response is of low int