Resistance vs. Immunity: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on September 30, 2023
"Resistance" refers to the ability to withstand something, often temporarily, while "immunity" implies a longer-term protection, especially from disease or legal actions.
Difference Between Resistance and Immunity
"Resistance" often denotes the capacity to fend off or oppose something. It can apply to various contexts, from physics to biology. In health, when one speaks of resistance, it's usually in reference to the body's ability to ward off an infection or disease for a short duration. For instance, resistance to antibiotics is a growing concern in modern medicine. However, resistance doesn't always suggest complete protection; it might merely delay or reduce the impact.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
"Immunity," on the other hand, typically conveys a more robust and lasting defense mechanism, especially against diseases. It's an intrinsic ability of an organism to prevent the manifestations of a particular disease, often due to previous exposure or vaccination. While resistance can be fleeting, immunity suggests a longer-term protection. In legal contexts, immunity can also refer to exemptions from certain rules or penalties that others might be subject to.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
It's crucial to note that while resistance might be inherent or can be developed over time, it can also diminish if continually exposed to a particular factor. For instance, consistent use of antibiotics can lead to bacteria developing resistance, making the drugs ineffective over time.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
In contrast, immunity, once established, tends to remain for an extended period. Some forms of immunity, like those against certain childhood diseases, can last a lifetime. However, other immunities might wane and require boosters or re-vaccination.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Both resistance and immunity play crucial roles in the health and survival of organisms. Resistance provides immediate, albeit often temporary, protection against threats, while immunity offers long-term defense mechanisms, ensuring the well-being of the organism against repeated exposures.
Lucas
Sep 30, 2023
Resistance vs. Immunity Comparison Chart
Protection Level
Can be partial or full
Typically full against specific threats
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Sep 30, 2023
Development
Can be inherent or developed over time
Can be innate or acquired (e.g., through vaccination)
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Diminishment
Can reduce with repeated exposure
Usually remains but can wane in some cases
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Resistance vs. Immunity Definitions
◉Resistance
The act of opposing or withstanding.
The troops met the invaders with strong resistance.
Henry
Sep 16, 2023
◉Immunity
The state of being unaffected by something.
His immunity to criticism made him arrogant.
William
Sep 16, 2023
◉Resistance
A refusal to accept or comply with something.
There's been a lot of resistance to the new law.
Lucas
Sep 16, 2023
◉Immunity
Exemption from legal obligations or penalties.
Diplomats often have diplomatic immunity.
Levi
Sep 16, 2023
◉Resistance
The ability of an organism to prevent disease infection.
The patient showed resistance to the treatment.
Nolan
Sep 16, 2023
◉Immunity
The body's ability to resist infection by a disease.
Vaccination provides immunity against many diseases.
William
Sep 16, 2023
◉Immunity
Resistance to a specific toxin by prior exposure.
Having had chickenpox once grants you immunity later in life.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
◉Immunity
The quality or condition of being immune
“His above-average size during adolescence did not purchase immunity from the depredations of school bullies” (Stephen S. Hall).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
often Resistance An underground organization engaged in a struggle for national liberation in a country under military or totalitarian occupation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
(Immunology) Inherited, acquired, or induced resistance to infection by a specific pathogen.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
(Psychology) A process in which the ego opposes the conscious recall of anxiety-producing experiences.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
Exemption from certain generally applicable requirements of law or from certain liabilities, granted to special groups of people to facilitate the performance of their public functions
diplomatic immunity.
judicial immunity.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
Ability (of an organism, tissue, or cell) to withstand a destructive agent or condition such as a chemical compound, a disease agent, or an environmental stressor
antibiotic resistance.
resistance to fungal diseases.
drought resistance.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
Exemption from prosecution granted to a witness to compel that witness to give potentially self-incriminating testimony that otherwise could not be compelled because of the constitutional right against self-incrimination.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
Lack of normal response to a biologically active compound such as a hormone
insulin resistance.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
(Electricity) The opposition of a body or substance to current passing through it, resulting in a change of electrical energy into heat or another form of energy.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
A condition conferred upon a contestant that prevents that contestant from being eliminated from a competition for a certain time period
The winner of the challenge was given immunity for the following challenge.
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May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
(uncountable) The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:
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May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
The act of resisting, or the capacity to resist.
widespread resistance to the new urban development plans
the resistance of bacteria to certain antibiotics
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May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
(medicine) protective resistance against disease.
Some people have better immunity to diseases than others.
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May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
(law) An exemption from specified duties, such as payments or services.
Feudal privileges often included tax and other immunities.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
(law) An exemption from prosecution.
The prosecutor offered the lieutenant immunity for all the crimes he would testify having known to be planned by the elusive drug baron.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
An underground organisation engaged in a struggle for liberation from forceful occupation; a resistance movement.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
The act of resisting; opposition, passive or active.
When King Demetrius saw that . . . no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
(in games and competitions) An exemption given to a player from losing or being withdrawn from play.
After winning the last round the player was granted immunity which allowed him to stay in the game even after receiving the fewest points.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
The quality of not yielding to force or external pressure; that power of a body which acts in opposition to the impulse or pressure of another, or which prevents the effect of another power; as, the resistance of the air to a body passing through it; the resistance of a target to projectiles.
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May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
(countable) A resistance to a specific thing.
Superbugs are bacteria that develop an immunity to antibiotics.
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May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
A means or method of resisting; that which resists.
Unfold to us some warlike resistance.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
Freedom or exemption from any charge, duty, obligation, office, tax, imposition, penalty, or service; a particular privilege; as, the immunities of the free cities of Germany; the immunities of the clergy.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
A certain hindrance or opposition to the passage of an electrical current or discharge offered by conducting bodies. It bears an inverse relation to the conductivity, - good conductors having a small resistance, while poor conductors or insulators have a very high resistance. The unit of resistance is the ohm.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with;
he encountered a general feeling of resistance from many citizens
despite opposition from the newspapers he went ahead
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
The state of being insusceptible to disease, certain poisons, etc.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
a material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
the military action of resisting the enemy's advance;
the enemy offered little resistance
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
the quality of being unaffected by something;
immunity to criticism
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
(medicine) the condition in which an organism can resist disease
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
an act exempting someone;
he was granted immunity from prosecution
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May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
a secret group organized to overthrow a government or occupation force
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May 03, 2023
◉Immunity
A protection or exemption from something.
The city has immunity from federal intervention.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 16, 2023
◉Resistance
the degree of unresponsiveness of a disease-causing microorganism to antibiotics or other drugs (as in penicillin-resistant bacteria)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
(psychiatry) an unwillingness to bring repressed feelings into conscious awareness
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
an electrical device that resists the flow of electrical current
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Resistance
The property of a conductor which opposes the flow of electricity.
Copper has low electrical resistance.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
◉Resistance
An underground organization opposing an invader.
The French resistance played a key role during WWII.
Lucas
Sep 16, 2023
Resistance vs. Immunity Frequently Asked Questions
What can cause a decrease in resistance?
Continuous exposure to a particular factor can diminish resistance.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
What does resistance mean in a medical context?
It refers to the ability of an organism to oppose a particular harmful agent.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
Can resistance to antibiotics be problematic?
Yes, as it can make antibiotics ineffective over time, leading to untreatable infections.
Muazma Batool
Sep 30, 2023
How is immunity different from resistance in health?
Immunity is a more prolonged, often permanent, defense against diseases, while resistance might be temporary.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Does immunity always last a lifetime?
While some forms of immunity, like against certain childhood diseases, can last a lifetime, others might wane and need boosters.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
Does resistance apply only to health contexts?
No, resistance can also refer to opposing any force or concept, like in physics or social movements.
Kaitlyn
Sep 30, 2023
How can immunity be acquired?
Immunity can be innate or obtained through means like vaccinations or previous exposure to the disease.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Is resistance always beneficial?
Not necessarily. In some cases, like antibiotic resistance, it poses significant health concerns.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
Can a person be immune to legal actions?
In specific roles or circumstances, such as diplomats, they might have legal immunity from certain actions or penalties.
Nolan
Sep 30, 2023
Can immunity be artificially induced?
Yes, through means like vaccines, immunity against specific diseases can be induced.
Levi
Sep 30, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
