Biology Multiple Choice Questions on “Human Health and Disease – Immune System in the Body”.
1. What is the life span of the memory B-cells of the immune system?
a) A few days
b) A few hours
c) A few years
d) A few years to whole life
Answer: d
Clarification: The life span of the memory B-cells of the immune system is a few years to whole life. These memory cells do not produce antibodies but when the same pathogen attacks for the second time, that differentiate into effector cells.
2. Which of the following is introduced during smallpox vaccination?
a) Antibodies
b) Antigens
c) Attenuated virus
d) WBCs
Answer: c
Clarification: Small Pox vaccination is a first-generation vaccine where an attenuated form of the virus is injected into the body of the patient. The first vaccination was developed by Edward Jenner against smallpox.
3. Primary response of the body to an antigen is much stronger and intense that the Secondary response.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: Primary immune response is the first immune response developed during the first encounter with the antigen. It is feeble but relatively longer. The secondary immune response is a quick heightened immune response against a subsequent encounter with the same antigen. It is due to the presence of memory cells against that antigen. Hence, the secondary response is more intense than the primary response.
4. Formation of a large number of effector cells against a particular antigen is called ______
a) Mass replication
b) Clonal selection
c) Mass selection
d) Pure line selection
Answer: b
Clarification: Formation of a large number of effector cells against a particular antigen is called Clonal selection. It involves the formation of a clone of cells by each activated T-lymphocyte and antibody-producing plasma cells by activated B-lymphocyte, each exhibiting the specificity for the same antigen.
5. Which of the following immunoglobulins is also called secretory immunoglobulin?
a) IgG
b) IgA
c) IgM
d) IgE
Answer: b
Clarification: IgA immunoglobulins are also called secretory immunoglobulin because it is present in all the body secretions including colostrum and mother’s milk. It functions as the first line of defence against ingested and inhaled pathogens by activating alternative pathways of the complement system.
6. Which of the following is an immunosuppressant drug?
a) Antihistamine
b) Cyclosporin
c) Neomycin
d) Streptokinase
Answer: b
Clarification: Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressant drug. This drug prevents rejection of kidney, heart and liver transplants. It destroys T-cell mediated immune responses while spares humoral antibody responses.
7. Which one of the following people are given the highest priority in transplanting organs to a donor?
a) Identical twin
b) Sibling
c) Parent
d) Unrelated donor
Answer: a
Clarification: For organ or tissue transplantation, the preference order for the donor is Identical twin > Sibling > Parent > Unrelated Donor. As there are antigens which are likely to be attacked by recipient T-cells and antibodies, the recipients of organ or tissue transplants are always given immunosuppressants.
8. Immunosuppressants are chemicals which enhance the immune system of the body.
a) True
b) False