Life Sciences 2 - Test 3 - Long Answer Questions

Question 1

Name the 4 types of vaccines.

Answer 1

1. Live Attenuated
2. Inactivated
3. Subunit
4. Toxoid

Question 2

What are live attenuated vaccines and provide two examples?

Answer 2

These use a weakened form of a live pathogen that can still replicate, but doesn’t cause disease. They produce a strong immune response. Require 1 – 2 doses. Examples: rotavirus, varicella.

Question 3

What are inactivated vaccines and provide two examples?

Answer 3

Contain pathogens killed by heat, chemicals, or radiation. They cannot replicate, so the immune response is weaker, often requiring boosters.
Examples: Hepatitis A, rabies.

Question 4

What are subunit vaccines and provide two examples?

Answer 4

Contain killed, antigenic component of pathogen, such as surface proteins, to trigger an immune response without live components, making them safer.
Examples: Pneumococcal, HPV.

Question 5

What are toxoid vaccines and provide two examples?

Answer 5

Contain inactivated toxins made by pathogen. The immune system learns to neutralise the real toxin if exposed later. It may require booster shots.
Examples: Diphtheria, tetanus.

Question 6

What is the probable spread of Aids and how is it transmitted?

Answer 6

• Probably spread from African primates in late 1970s
• Became rapidly global
• Transmitted through unprotected sex, needle sharing, blood products

Question 7

How does Aids effect the immune system and what can it cause?

Answer 7

• Virus affects T cells, thus weakens the immune system
• Untreated HIV usually leads to death from infection, as the individual’s immune system is compromised
• Deaths of 40 million worldwide

Question 8

What are the symptoms and what can happen to the body if untreated?

Answer 8

• A flu like seroconversion illness often occurs around 14 days after exposure
• If untreated patients succumb to various infections including TB, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis
• Kaposi sarcoma and lymphoma can also occur, along with kidney disease and general wasting

Question 9

What is being done to spread awareness/cure Aids and what should someone do if they are at risk of contracting aids?

Answer 9

• Safe sex campaigns, needle exchange programs, and mandatory condom use and Sexually Transmitted Infections testing for commercial sex workers
• Antiretroviral drugs stop the virus from replicating thus AIDS progressing
• Work on a vaccine is progressing
• Daily PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is recommended for all people who are at risk of HIV infection (highly effective).

Question 10

What are mRNA vaccines?

Answer 10

mRNA vaccines carry genetic material that teaches our cells how to make a harmless piece of “spike protein,” which is found on the surface of a virus.

Cells display this piece of spike protein on their surface, and an immune response is triggered inside our bodies. This produces antibodies to protect us from getting infected if the virus enters our bodies.

Example: COVID-19