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Which type of immunity is partly inherited?
Acquired immunity
Natural immunity
Passive immunity
Artificial immunity
The correct answer is: Natural immunity
Natural immunity refers to the type of immunity that is partly inherited and is the body's first line of defense against pathogens. This form of immunity can involve the genetic material passed from parents to offspring, which provides an innate ability to respond to specific infections. Natural immunity includes the immune responses that are present at birth and those developed through the natural exposure to pathogens in the environment. For instance, infants can receive natural immunity through maternal antibodies transferred during pregnancy or through breastfeeding, but this is more accurately characterized as passive immunity. While acquired immunity involves the adaptive immune response that develops after exposure to pathogens or through vaccines, and artificial immunity is specifically obtained through medical interventions, natural immunity encompasses the broader genetic and inherent defense mechanisms. The distinction lies in the role of inherited factors in developing natural immunity, making it unique as a partly inherited form of immunity in contrast to acquired, passive, and artificial immunities.