Q.Antivenom against snake poison contains:

Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins and enzymes that act as antigens when they enter the body. When a person is bitten, there isn't time to wait for their immune system to produce antibodies naturally—the venom acts too quickly and can be fatal within hours.

Antivenom is prepared by injecting small, non-lethal doses of venom into horses or other large animals. These animals mount an immune response and produce specific antibodies against the venom proteins. The serum containing these ready-made antibodies is then collected, purified, and used as antivenom. When injected into a snakebite victim, these preformed antibodies immediately bind to and neutralize the venom antigens, preventing tissue damage and systemic effects.

This is a classic example of passive immunization—the patient receives antibodies directly rather than producing them. The protection is immediate but temporary, lasting only as long as the injected antibodies remain in circulation. …

When someone is bitten by a venomous snake, time is critical. The body's own immune system would take days to produce antibodies against the venom—far too slow when neurotoxins or haemotoxins are already coursing through the bloodstream. This is where antivenom steps in as a life-saving intervention.

Antivenom is manufactured through a deliberate immunological process. Horses or other large animals are injected with small, sub-lethal doses of snake venom. The animal's immune system recognises the venom proteins as foreign antigens and mounts a robust immune response, producing specific antibodies against those toxins. Over time, with repeated controlled exposure, the animal's blood becomes rich in these protective antibodies. Serum is then collected from the animal, purified, and processed to isolate the antibodies. This purified antibody preparation is what we call antivenom.

When administered to a snakebite victim, the antivenom delivers ready-made antibodies directly into the patient's bloodstream. These antibodies immediately bind to the venom molecules, neutralising them before they can cause further tissue damage or systemic effects. This is a classic example of passive immunisation—the patient receives pre-formed antibodies rather than producing their own. …

Reconstruct HOW antivenom is actually manufactured, then read the answer off that process: a sub-lethal dose of venom is injected into a horse -> the horse's B-cells make antibodies against the venom antigens -> its serum is harvested and purified -> that purified serum IS the antivenom. Since the manufacturing process ends at 'harvest the antibodies', the product must be antibodies (c) …