Question 1

Which antibody is primarily responsible for crossing the placenta to protect the fetus during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

IgG

Question 2

A patient with a history of recurrent bacterial infections is found to have a deficiency in lysozyme activity. Which of the following best explains the role of lysozyme in host defense?

Accepted Answer

It breaks down the peptidoglycan layer in bacterial cell walls.

Question 3

A patient receives a vaccine containing polysaccharide antigens conjugated to a protein. What is the immunological advantage of this conjugation?

Accepted Answer

It enhances T-cell dependent immune responses.

Question 4

Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce the incidence of nosocomially spread infections in hospitals?

Accepted Answer

Health care workers wash their hands between each patient they touch.

Question 5

A patient is exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and develops a Type IV hypersensitivity reaction. Which immune cells are primarily responsible for this response?

Accepted Answer

Cytotoxic T cells and macrophages

Question 6

Which of the following viruses is characterized by being an enveloped virus with a single-stranded RNA genome and spikes in its structure?

Accepted Answer

Influenza virus

Question 7

A 7-year-old child presents with fever, abdominal pain, and a rash that started on the face and spread to the trunk. The causative agent is a virus with a double-stranded DNA genome. Which disease is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a component of a granuloma formed during chronic infection?

Accepted Answer

Neutrophils

Question 9

A patient with Staphylococcus aureus infection is found to have a protein A on the bacterial surface. What is the function of protein A?

Accepted Answer

It binds to the Fc region of IgG, inhibiting opsonization.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the ELISA test is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It can be used to detect the presence of specific antibodies in patient serum.

Question 11

A patient is given intravenous fluids to treat bacterial endotoxemia. Which of the following would be the most effective way to protect the patient against endotoxin?

Accepted Answer

Use Limulus blood cells to test for endotoxin contamination.

Question 12

Which of the following is a childhood disease that is prevented by an effective vaccine in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Measles

Question 13

A patient with HIV develops oral thrush. Which organism is most likely responsible for this infection?

Accepted Answer

Candida albicans

Question 14

Which of the following is the best indicator of a recent infection in a patient’s serum?

Accepted Answer

High levels of IgM antibodies

Question 15

A patient is diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The autoantibodies in SLE are directed against which of the following?

Accepted Answer

DNA

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-life example of vertical transmission of a disease?

Accepted Answer

A mother with HIV passes the virus to her newborn during birth.

Question 17

Which part of the antibody molecule is responsible for antigen binding specificity?

Accepted Answer

The variable region

Question 18

A patient is given a live attenuated vaccine. Which of the following best describes the immune response generated?

Accepted Answer

It stimulates both humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Question 19

Which of the following is the most common cause of acquired immunodeficiency in the United States?

Accepted Answer

HIV infection

Question 20

A patient is exposed to a pathogen and produces monoclonal antibodies against it. What does this indicate about the immune response?

Accepted Answer

The response is specific to a single epitope on the pathogen.

BIOL 22100 Midterm Exam III: Study Guide for Immunology, Pathogenicity, and Microbial Diseases

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards