Topic 11.1: Antibody Production and Vaccination

Question 1

Process of Antigen Recognition (2)

Answer 1

a) All organisms have unique molecules on the surface of cells that identify it as self.
b) Molecules that are recognized as foreign and trigger an immune response are antigens.

Question 2

Example of antigen recognition

Answer 2

Blood transfusion

a) RBC possess basic antigenic markers which limit transfusion
b) Antigens on the surface of RBC stimulate antibody production in a person with different blood group

Question 3

Pathogen definition

Answer 3

disease-causing agent that disrupt the normal physiology of infected organisms

Question 4

Types of pathogens

Answer 4

a) Species-specific

b) Zoonotic

Question 5

Transmission of pathogens

Answer 5

a) Direct contact
b) Exchange of fluids
c) Airborne
d) Vectors

Question 6

Clonal selection process

Answer 6

a) Macrophage engulfs pathogen and displays antigen from it
b) Macrophages present antigen fragments to TH cells
c) TH cells release cytokines and activate antigen-specific B cells
d) B cells divide and differentiate into plasma cells that produce large quantities of specific antibodies
e) A small proportion differentiate into long lasting memory B cells

Question 7

Definition of antibodies

Answer 7

Globular proteins that aid in pathogen destruction by promoting

Question 8

Methods used by antibodies to destroy pathogens

Answer 8

a) Opsonization - Make a pathogen recognizable to phagocytes

b) Lysis - Disintegrating a cell

Question 9

Opsonization

Answer 9

a) Precipitation
b) Agglutination
c) Neutralization
d) Inflammation
e) Complement activation

Question 10

How does the immune system react after an initial pathogenic infection?

Answer 10

a) Memory cells persist for years, secreting antibodies
b) If re-infection with the same antigen occurs, memory cells can respond faster and produce antibodies with potency
c) As a result, disease symptoms do not develop

Question 11

How does a vaccine produce immunity in an individual? (2)

Answer 11

a) Attenuated forms of a pathogen induces long-term immunity by creating memory cells.
b) When exposed to the actual pathogen, the memory cells trigger a significantly faster and stronger response.

Question 12

Herd immunity definition

Answer 12

When individuals who are not immune to a pathogen are protected from exposure by the large amounts of immune individuals within the community

Question 13

What was the first disease to be eradicated?

Answer 13

Smallpox

Question 14

Monoclonal antibodies definition

Answer 14

Antibodies that have been derived from a single B cell clone

Question 15

How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

Answer 15

a) An animal is injected with a pathogen to stimulate production of specific plasma cells
b) The plasma cells are removed and fused with tumor cells capable of endless divisions
c) The hybridoma formed will mass-produce the antibody

Question 16

Which monoclonal antibodies are used to test for pregnancy?

Answer 16

hCG

Question 17

Structure of a pregnancy test

Answer 17

a) Free monoclonal antibodies specific to hCG are immobilized to the dye substrate
b) A second set of monoclonal antibodies are immobilized to the dye substrate

Question 18

Functioning of a pregnancy test (2)

Answer 18

a) If hCG is present in urine, it will interact with both sets of monoclonal antibody, so the dye changes its color
b) A third set of antibodies bind any unattached enzyme-linked antibodies (control)

Question 19

Allergen definition

Answer 19

Environmental substance that triggers an immune response despite not being intrinsically harmful

Question 20

Stages of allergic reactions (3)

Answer 20

a) When a B cell is activated by an allergen, it makes large quantities of allergen-specific antibodies
b) These antibodies bind to mast cells and prime them
c) Upon re-exposure to the allergen, the sensitized mast cells release large quantities of histamine

Question 21

Allergic symptoms (2)

Answer 21

a) Vasodilation (Redness / Heat)

b) Capillary permeability (Swelling / Pain)