An antiserum containing antibodies provides what type of protection?

The correct choice is passive immunity because antiserum contains pre-formed antibodies that are administered to an individual. This type of immunity does not require the individual’s immune system to actively produce antibodies in response to an infection or vaccination; instead, it provides immediate protection by supplying antibodies that can neutralize pathogens or toxins.

Passive immunity is often short-lived, as the antibodies will eventually degrade over time, unlike active immunity, where the body generates its own immune response after exposure to a pathogen or vaccination, leading to a more prolonged and typically longer-lasting immune defense.

In contrast, genetic immunity refers to resistance that is due to the genetic characteristics of an organism, and natural immunity is developed through exposures to pathogens in the environment, leading to the production of antibodies over time. Neither of these options specifically addresses the immediate protection provided by antiserum.