Which type of immunity involves the use of antibodies?

Humoral immunity is characterized by the production of antibodies by B cells in response to specific antigens. When an antigen enters the body, B cells are activated and undergo a process that leads to the differentiation into plasma cells, which are responsible for secreting antibodies. These antibodies are crucial in recognizing and binding to the antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or neutralizing their effects, which is essential in protecting the body against bacterial and viral infections.

Cell-mediated immunity, in contrast, involves T cells that do not rely on antibodies but instead directly attack infected or cancerous cells. Innate immunity is the body’s first line of defense and includes physical barriers and immune cells that respond to infections in a general way, without the use of specific antibodies. Passive immunity refers to the acquisition of antibodies from another organism, such as through maternal antibodies, and while it does involve antibodies, it does not involve the body's own immune response to produce them. Therefore, humoral immunity stands out as the type specifically involving the active use of antibodies produced by the immune system.