What is the body's ability to resist infection and disease known as?

The body's ability to resist infection and disease is known as immunity. Immunity involves a complex network of cells and processes that work together to identify and eliminate pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other harmful organisms. The immune system is essential for protecting the body from diseases and can be classified into two main types: innate immunity, which is the body's first line of defense, and adaptive immunity, which involves a more specific response to pathogens that the body has encountered previously.

Immunization, while related to the concept of immunity, specifically refers to the process of becoming immune through vaccination or exposure to a disease. Resistance generally refers to the body's ability to withstand infection, but it does not encompass the entire immune response. Defensiveness is not a recognized scientific term used to describe the immune system's function. Consequently, immunity is the most accurate term to describe the comprehensive ability of the body to protect itself against disease and infection.