What term refers to the body's ability to destroy bacteria and resist infections?

The term that refers to the body's ability to destroy bacteria and resist infections is immunity. Immunity encompasses the complex biological system that protects the body against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. It can be broadly classified into two types: innate immunity, which is the natural defense mechanism present at birth, and adaptive immunity, which develops in response to exposure to specific pathogens.

Immunity involves various components, including white blood cells, lymphatic tissues, and biochemical processes that work together to identify and eliminate harmful organisms. This capability allows the body not only to fight infections but also to provide a sort of memory, so that if the body encounters the same pathogen again, the immune response is more robust and efficient.

Resistance, while related, refers more generally to the capacity of the body to withstand or repel diseases or infections but does not fully encompass the biological complexity of the immune system. Vaccination is a process by which immunity is developed through exposure to a harmless form of a pathogen, and antibodies are specific proteins produced by the immune system in response to pathogens, but they are part of the overall immune response rather than the overarching concept of immunity itself.