Which type of immune response aims to eliminate infected or abnormal body cells?

• A. Cell-mediated immunity
• B. Humoral immunity
• C. Adaptative immunity
• D. Innate immunity

Answer: (A)

Cell-mediated immunity is specifically designed to target and eliminate infected or abnormal cells, such as those that have become cancerous or are infected by pathogens like viruses. This type of immune response is primarily mediated by T cells, particularly cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which can recognize and destroy cells displaying foreign antigens on their surface.

In contrast, humoral immunity primarily involves the production of antibodies by B cells, which function to neutralize pathogens or mark them for destruction by other immune cells. While adaptative immunity encompasses both cell-mediated and humoral responses, the direct elimination of infected cells specifically calls for the actions of cell-mediated immunity. Innate immunity, on the other hand, provides the first line of defense against pathogens and does not involve the specificity that characterizes the adaptive immune responses.