Experiment: To test maternal antibody transfer, newborn mice from vaccinated mothers were exposed to the pathogen.Observation: Most offspring survived despite not being vaccinated themselves.Question: What is the likely explanation?

Correct answer: D. Antibodies were transferred from mother to offspring.

  • A. Offspring developed their own immunity in utero.
  • B. Pathogen was inactive.
  • C. Maternal vaccination has no protective role.
  • D. Antibodies were transferred from mother to offspring.

Explanation

The correct answer is that antibodies were transferred from the mother to the offspring. This explains why most offspring survived despite not being vaccinated themselves. Maternal antibody transfer is a natural process where antibodies from the mother are passed on to the offspring, providing temporary immunity. The incorrect options fail to consider this crucial aspect of maternal immunity transfer, leading to their inaccuracy.

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