What is the term used to describe the type of protection that is inherited from one's mother?

The term referred to in the question describes a type of immune protection that is transferred from one individual to another, specifically from mother to child. This protection is known as passive immunity.

Passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from one person to another, providing immediate but temporary protection. In the context of a mother and her child, this can happen during pregnancy when maternal antibodies cross the placenta to provide the fetus with some level of immunity against certain infections. Additionally, passive immunity can also be conferred through breast milk after birth, which contains antibodies that help protect the newborn during the early months of life.

This type of immunity differs from other types such as acquired immunity, which develops as a result of infection or vaccination; live vaccines, which use a weakened form of the pathogen to stimulate an immune response; and natural immunity, which refers to the protection developed naturally after exposure to pathogens. Understanding the distinct nature of passive immunity is crucial for comprehending how maternal health impacts infant health and immune response.