The antibody-mediated response is also called the ___________ response.

• A. Rapid
• B. Humoral
• C. Extracellular
• D. Secondary

Answer: (B)

Antibody-mediated response is the humoral response. This part of the immune system involves B cells that, once activated by an antigen, become plasma cells that secrete antibodies into the bloodstream and other body fluids. These antibodies act against pathogens and toxins that are outside cells, neutralizing them and tagging them for destruction. The term humoral comes from the idea that these soluble factors circulate in body fluids. In contrast, cell-mediated immunity relies on T cells to attack infected or abnormal cells, not free-floating antibodies. The other options don’t describe how antibodies work: rapid refers to speed, extracellular describes location rather than the mechanism, and secondary refers to memory rather than the antibody-producing process.