Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

Accepted Answer

Innate immunity provides a rapid, non-specific response, while adaptive immunity provides a slower, specific response and has memory.

Question 2

A patient receives an antivenom shot after a snake bite. Which type of immunity is this, and will it provide lifelong protection?

Accepted Answer

Passive immunity; no, it will not provide lifelong protection.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a component of the vertebrate innate immune system?

Accepted Answer

Antibodies

Question 4

During the inflammatory response, what is the main function of capillaries becoming 'leaky'?

Accepted Answer

To enable neutrophils and fluid to move into the tissue and fight infection

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why a person who recovers from chicken pox is unlikely to get it again?

Accepted Answer

The adaptive immune system produces memory cells that respond rapidly upon re-exposure.

Question 6

What is the primary role of helper T cells in the immune response?

Accepted Answer

They stimulate both B cells and cytotoxic T cells by releasing signaling molecules.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the process of clonal selection?

Accepted Answer

Only lymphocytes with receptors specific to an antigen are activated and multiply into effector and memory cells.

Question 8

A person with a blocked lymphatic vessel in their leg is most likely to experience which symptom?

Accepted Answer

Swelling due to accumulation of tissue fluid (edema)

Question 9

Which of the following statements about antigens and antibodies is correct?

Accepted Answer

Antibodies are immune proteins that bind to specific regions (epitopes) on antigens.

Question 10

Why is it difficult to develop a successful treatment for AIDS?

Accepted Answer

HIV mutates rapidly due to the lack of proofreading by reverse transcriptase.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes herd immunity?

Accepted Answer

It protects unvaccinated individuals when a high percentage of the population is immune.

Question 12

Which of the following is a function of the lymphatic system?

Accepted Answer

Returning tissue fluid to the circulatory system and fighting infection

Question 13

Which immune cell is responsible for directly destroying virus-infected body cells?

Accepted Answer

Cytotoxic T cells

Question 14

A person with an autoimmune disorder is likely to experience which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Immune attacks against their own healthy cells

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why allergies occur?

Accepted Answer

The immune system mounts an exaggerated response to harmless environmental antigens (allergens).

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events in the inflammatory response?

Accepted Answer

Mast cells release signaling molecules, capillaries dilate and become leaky, neutrophils migrate to the site, phagocytosis occurs

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of perforin in the immune response?

Accepted Answer

It forms pores in the membranes of infected cells, leading to cell death.

Question 18

Which of the following is true about the structure of antibodies?

Accepted Answer

Each antibody has two identical antigen-binding sites that bind to specific epitopes.

Question 19

Why is it inaccurate to refer to a pathogen, such as a virus, as an antigen?

Accepted Answer

A pathogen contains many different antigens, each with specific epitopes.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why organ transplants can be rejected by the recipient's immune system?

Accepted Answer

The recipient's immune system recognizes the donor organ's MHC molecules as foreign and mounts an immune response.

The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Defenses, Disorders, and Vaccination

Study Guide - Practice Questions