Which type of immunity is inherited from the mother?

Passive immunity is the correct answer because it refers to the temporary immunity that is transferred from one individual to another. In the context of maternal immunity, a mother can pass antibodies to her fetus during pregnancy through the placenta, as well as to her infant through breast milk after birth. This transfer provides the newborn with immediate protection against certain infections, even before their own immune system has fully developed.

Natural immunity, on the other hand, refers to the body's inherent ability to fight off pathogens without any external assistance, which is not specifically inherited but rather developed over time through exposure to infectious agents. Acquired immunity results from an individual's own immune response to pathogens after exposure or vaccination, and it is specific to the pathogens the body has encountered. Vaccination immunity is also acquired and involves the administration of vaccines to stimulate the immune response, but it does not involve the direct transfer of antibodies from mother to child. Thus, passive immunity stands out as the type of immunity that is directly inherited from the mother, highlighting the protective role mothers play in their infants' early immune defense.