Secondary Immune Response

Question 1

What are the disadvantages of the primary immune response? 2

Answer 1

• Slow as not enough B cells to make needed antigens

- Pathogen multiplies so person feels symptoms

Question 2

What are saved after the primary immune response?

Answer 2

Memory cells

Question 3

Explain the secondary immune response 6

Answer 3

• If the same pathogen with the same antigen infects the body
• Immune response is faster and stronger
• As memory B cells make plasma cells with complementary antibodies
• Memory T cells make complementary T killer cells
• As the antigen is recognised
• No symptoms felt

Question 4

Define “vaccine”

Answer 4

Substance containing antigens from a dead/weakened pathogen

Question 5

What do vaccines do to the immune system?

Answer 5

Stimulates the primary immune response, so immune system produces:

• Antibodies
• Plasma cells
• Memory cells

Question 6

What occurs if the body is infected post vaccine? 2

Answer 6

• Undergoes secondary immune response

- No symptoms felt

Question 7

What do vaccines contain to protect against antigenic variation?

Answer 7

Many different antigens to protect against different strains of pathogens

Question 8

What is herd immunity?

Answer 8

A higher proportion of the population is immunised so fewer people there to pass on disease

Question 9

How are vaccines usually administered?

Answer 9

Through an injection

Question 10

Why are vaccines not taken orally? 3

Answer 10

• Broken down by enzymes
• Too big to be absorbed
• Broken down by stomach acid

Question 11

Explain antigenic variability and what it means for the immune response 4

Answer 11

• Antigens on the surface of the pathogen change
• As proteins have a different tertiary structure
• Antigen no longer complementary to antibodies in memory cells
• If infected again body must undergo primary response

Question 12

Why is antigenic variability a problem for vaccines?

Answer 12

Some pathogens have many strains but vaccines can only work on some strains

Question 13

What are the 4 types of immunity?

Answer 13

• Active natural
• Active artificial
• Passive natural
• Passive artificial

Question 14

What is active immunity?

Answer 14

Immune system makes its own antibodies after being stimulated by a pathogen

Question 15

What is natural active immunity?

Answer 15

Immunity after catching a disease and undergoing primary response to produce antibodies and memory cells

Question 16

What is artificial active immunity?

Answer 16

Immunity after a vaccination and undergoing primary response to produce antibodies and memory cells

Question 17

What is passive immunity?

Answer 17

Antibodies given that are made from another organism

Question 18

What is natural passive immunity?

Answer 18

Baby becomes immune after being given antibodies from mother

Question 19

What are the 2 ways babies can receive antibodies from the mother?

Answer 19

• Through placenta

- Breastmilk

Question 20

What is artificial passive immunity?

Answer 20

Immunity after being injected with antibodies e.g blood transfusion

Question 21

What are the advantages of active immunity? 2

Answer 21

• Long term

- Make memory cells

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of active immunity? 2

Answer 22

• Slow due to primary response

- Must be exposed to pathogen

Question 23

What are the advantages of passive immunity? 2

Answer 23

• Fast

- No exposure to pathogen needed

Question 24

What are the disadvantages of passive immunity? 3

Answer 24

• Short term
• No memory cells
• Antibodies are foreign so body breaks them down