Read the passage and answer the question given below.

When a host is exposed to antigens, which may be in the form of living or dead microbes or other proteins, antibodies are produced in the host body. This type of immunity is called active immunity. Active immunity is slow and takes time to give its full effective response. Injecting the microbes deliberately during immunisation or infectious organisms gaining access into body during natural infection induce active immunity. When antibodies are directly given to protect the body against foreign agents, it is called passive immunity.

Immunity provided to the foetus from the mother through placenta during pregnancy is:

Passive immunity

The correct answer is Option (2) –Passive immunity

Passive immunity refers to the administration of pre-formed antibodies directly into the body to provide protection against foreign agents. For instance, the yellowish fluid known as colostrum, produced by a mother during the initial days of lactation, contains a rich supply of antibodies (specifically I_gA) that serves to safeguard the infant.

Additionally, during pregnancy, the fetus acquires a certain amount of antibodies from the mother through the placenta. These instances illustrate examples of passive immunity.