AP Biology : Immune System

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Understanding The Innate Immune Response

Which of the following cells would not be part of the immune response when a pathogen is encountered by the body for the first time?

Possible Answers:

Neutrophils

Monocytes

T-cells

Macrophages

Correct answer:

T-cells

Explanation:

The body has a generalized group of phagocytic cells that can attack microbes that have made it past the skin. Macrophages and neutrophils are the first cells to respond to an infection. Monocytes will later migrate from the bloodstream into the body tissues and phagocytize pathogens. T-cells are part of the acquired immune system and are only present after a specific pathogen had been previously encountered in the body.

Example Question #2 : Understanding The Innate Immune Response

Maternal immunity to some antigens may be conveyed in-utero. This is an example of which type of immunity?

Possible Answers:

Artificial passive immunity

Immunity to viral infections

Artificial active immunity

Natural active immunity

Natural passive immunity

Correct answer:

Natural passive immunity

Explanation:

Natural passive immunity is conveyed from mother to child in-utero or through colostrum in breast milk.  Natural passive immunity provides temporary immunity to many diseases.

Natural active immunity occurs when an individual develops a disease as a result of being exposed to a live pathogen, and acquires immunity to that pathogen as a result.

Artificial active immunity is acquired as a result of intentional exposure to a pathogen, as in a vaccination.

Artificial passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from one person to another. Immediate short-term protection may be conveyed to immune-compromised patients, such as chemotherapy recipients, by this mean.

Essentially, active immunity requires exposure to a live pathogen; passive immunity does not (only antibodies). Artificial immunity requires intervention in the form of a vaccine or medical care, while natural immunity occurs unintentionally through exposure.

Example Question #3 : Understanding The Innate Immune Response

Which of the following is not a feature of toll-like receptors (TLRs)?

Possible Answers:

TLRs control B-cell clonal selection

Activation of TLRs stimulates an inflammatory response

TLRs recognize different specific components of pathogens, such as lipopolysaccharides

TLRs are found in innate immune cells

Correct answer:

TLRs control B-cell clonal selection

Explanation:

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of receptors found within innate immune antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages. These receptors recognize specific elements of various infectious agents such as lipopolysaccharides, DNA, and RNA. Binding and activation of these receptors stimulates inflammatory responses and CD4/CD8 T-cell responses to drive an effective immune response.

TLRs do not control B-cell clonal selection, the process by which B-cells replicate to amplify the production of a certain antibody.

Example Question #1 : Immune System

Which of the following cells is not part of the innate immune response?

Possible Answers:

Neutrophils

Eosinophils

Macrophages

Plasma cells

Correct answer:

Plasma cells

Explanation:

Innate immunity is a generalized form of protection against pathogens in the body. The cells of innate immunity generally attack all types of invasive agents and do not interact with antibody production.

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages are all generalized leukocytes that are present in the body. Neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils are the primary granulocytes, all of which are involved in innate immunity. Macrophages are differentiated monocytes, capable of phagocytosis against non-specific invaders.

Plasma cells are differentiated B-lymphocytes. They release antibodies into the bloodstream that are specific for a given pathogen. As a result, plasma cells are only present following a specific infection. They are a crucial part of the adaptive immune response, but are not involved in innate immunity.

Example Question #1 : Immune System

Which of the following statements best represents antigen presentation in an acquired immune response to a pathogen?

Possible Answers:

Antigen from the pathogen is presented simultaneously to memory helper T-Cells, memory T-cells, and memory B-cells

Antigen from the pathogen is presented to memory helper T-cells to stimulate a new round of B-cell clonal selection and antibody response

Antigen from the pathogen is presented specifically to memory T-cells to activate cytotoxic T-cells to clear the infection

Antigen presenting-cells present antigens memory helper T-cells, followed by memory B-cells followed, by memory T-cells

Correct answer:

Antigen from the pathogen is presented simultaneously to memory helper T-Cells, memory T-cells, and memory B-cells

Explanation:

An acquired immune response to a secondary infection by a pathogen results in presentation of antigen to residual memory helper T-cells, memory T-cells, and memory B-cells. Upon recognizing the antigen, memory T-cells can become cytotoxic T-cells and target the infected region. The process of presentation promotes direct expansion of the existing population of immune cells already capable of responding to the pathogen. Immunological memory provides a more rapid response time to combat the pathogen during the second exposure.

Example Question #2 : Understanding The Adaptive Immune Response

Once an individual becomes exposed to a pathogen, the body's immune system responds faster against a second exposure to the same pathogen. Why does this occur?

Possible Answers:

The proper antibodies are constantly circulating in the blood

Innate defenses are strengthened

Specific lymphocytes quickly produce the proper antibodies

Stimulated memory cells quickly engulf pathogens

Pathogens are changed so they are no longer harmful

Correct answer:

Specific lymphocytes quickly produce the proper antibodies

Explanation:

Innate defenses, such as skin and macrophages, are a primary defense against all diseases, but adaptive immunity is related to exposure to a specific disease. The ability for the body to produce specific antibodies quickly provides adaptive immunity. While some antibodies may remain in the blood after initial exposure, this small amount does not provide sufficient immunity. 

The specific lymphocytes that produce antibodies during a second exposure are called memory B-cells. When an antigen is presented to a memory B-cell that produces the appropriate antibody, the cell divides and differentiates into plasma cells. Plasma cells are then responsible for producing large amounts of antibodies against the specific antigen. Antibodies are cell-surface markers that attach to pathogens, signaling effector cells to rapidly destroy the pathogen. The rapid multiplication of B-cells to generate antibody to a specific threat is known as clonal selection.

Example Question #1 : Understanding The Adaptive Immune Response

Which immune system response could best be characterized as adaptive?

Possible Answers:

A phagocyte engulfs and destroys bacteria, dead cells, and other potentially harmful particles that it encounters

After the first exposure to an antigen, memory B-lymphocytes are produced to recognize the same antigen upon a second exposure

In the inflammatory response, mast cells produce histamine to facilitate the travel of immune cells and plasma to the afflicted area

The epithelium of the skin blocks most pathogens from ever entering the body

Correct answer:

After the first exposure to an antigen, memory B-lymphocytes are produced to recognize the same antigen upon a second exposure

Explanation:

The two types of immune system responses are innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific). Innate responses are those that act on many pathogens in the same general way. For example, the skin and the mucus in the nasal cavity both physically block the entry of pathogens into the body, but they do not specifically target certain antigens. Other examples of the innate response are inflammation and the general activity of phagocytes. On the other hand, the adaptive immune system provides a second line of defense against certain, previously encountered pathogens. Here, the only answer choice that deals with the recognition of specific antigens is the production of memory B-lymphocytes. The adaptive immune response generally involves T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, antigens, and antibodies.

Example Question #191 : Systems Physiology

Which cell is responsible for stimulating differentiation of B-lymphocytes into specialized plasma cells?

Possible Answers:

Memory B-cells

Antibodies

Cytotoxic T-cells

Helper T-cells

Correct answer:

Helper T-cells

Explanation:

The differentiation of many acquired immune cells is largely dependent on helper T-cells. In the presence of a matching antigen, B-lymphocytes can be differentiated into plasma cells and memory B-cells with the assistance of helper T-cells. Memory B-cells are easily triggered if an antigen is presented during a second infection, while plasma cells are the final differentiated form of a B-cell responsible for mass-producing antibodies. Helper T-cells are also important in the activation of cytotoxic T-cells, which detect antibody-antigen complexes on cell membranes and help to destroy these tagged cells.

Example Question #5 : Understanding The Adaptive Immune Response

Which of the following is a characteristic of acquired immunity?

Possible Answers:

Acquired immunity is a rapid response

Recognition of traits specific to a particular pathogen

Response is driven by phagocytic cells

Recognition of shared traits by a wide array of pathogens

Use of basophils and mast cells to create inflammation

Correct answer:

Recognition of traits specific to a particular pathogen

Explanation:

Acquired, or adaptive, immunity is a second immune defense system and develops slowly after exposure to an initial infection. As a result, the immune system is "trained" and capable of recognizing many specific components or antigens from the pathogen. Acquired immunity stores the information from an initial infection in preparation for reintroduction of the pathogen; it does not immediately respond to the initial infection.

Upon reinfection or exposure to a pathogen, the acquired immunity is better able to detect and defend the body. This includes the generation of antibodies that can bind a pathogen and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that can detect and eliminate infected cells.

Acquired immunity is balanced by innate immunity, which responds indiscriminately to all pathogens. Innate immunity is essential for fighting and preventing initial infections, before adaptive immunity has learned to recognize the specific pathogen present.

Example Question #6 : Understanding The Adaptive Immune Response

Major histocompatibility molecules (MHC) are critical for the functioning of the immune system. These proteins are utilized allow for communication between the immune system and the cells. MHC I are utilized to show which cells are in fact part of the body and which are foreign. MHC II are utilized to show the immune system when there is an intruder.

MHC I molecules are derived from chromosome 6. On chromosome 6, there is a specific gene that encodes for the molecule. On the gene, there are 3 locus (A, B, C) which allows for variability in the binding site of the MHC I molecule. The MHC gene is co-dominance and therefore adds to its diversity. During development, the gene is transcribed into MHC I molecules. However, some of these are broken down and react with a particular MHC I molecule. The reaction allows for the MHC I molecule to surface onto the cellular membrane and to self-identify the protein for the cytotoxic T-cell.

After translation, MHC II molecules are transported to the endosome. When a pathogen binds to the proper MHC II binding site, these molecules are then presented to T-Helper cells. In comparison, MHC I molecules interact with endogenous antigens whereas MHC II molecules interact with exogenous antigens.

Patient A has a disorder which resulted in a nondisjunction of chromosome 6. Which might this disorder lower the chances of developing an autoimmune disease? 

Possible Answers:

Increase variability of MHC II binding site  

Decrease variability of MHC I binding site  

Decrease  variability of MHC II binding site  

None of these

Increase variability of MHC I binding site  

Correct answer:

Increase variability of MHC I binding site  

Explanation:

Since the genes in chromosome 6 is codominance, each gene will be expressed. With nondisjunction, there will be an extra chromosome. This will result in all three genes being expressed. The expression of all three genes will increase the diversity of the MHC I pool. Recall MHC I is responsible for notifying which cells are related to the body to prevent autoimmunity. 

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