All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #12 : Immune System
Which of the following cells is exclusive to the adaptive immune system?
B-cells
Macrophages
Mast cells
Dendritic cells
Neutrophils
B-cells
The adaptive immune system primarily relies on the function of B-cells and T-cells. T-cells help recognize antigens to which the body has been previously exposed and stimulate B-cell to release antibodies to combat that specific antigen.
Upon initial antigen exposure, all other cell types listed (which help comprise the innate immune system) kick in.
Example Question #12 : Immune System
Which immune cells primarily contribute to allergic reactions?
Dendritic cells
T-cells
B-cells
Mast cells
Phagocytes
Mast cells
Mast cells contains secretory granules, rich in histamine and other hormonal mediators, that promote inflammation and other allergy symptoms in response to antigen exposure.
Example Question #11 : Immune System
Which immune cells contribute most to the humoral immune response?
Helper T cells
Basophils
Phagocytes
B cells
Natural killer T cells
B cells
The humoral response refers to the antiquated term "humors", meaning body fluids, as used in ancient and medieval medicine. In response to antigen exposure, B-cells release antibodies into the extracellular fluid and throughout the body, thus eliciting a "humoral response."
Although helper T-cells are responsible for activating B-cells, the humoral response is limited to B-cells because they are the ones releasing products into the body fluids.
Example Question #3 : Understanding Cell Types
Metastasis is __________.
the spread of the cells produced during mitosis
the spread of cancer cells beyond their site of origin
the spread of the cells produced during meiosis
the asexual reproduction of cells
the spread of cancer cells beyond their site of origin
Metastasis is the proliferation of cancer cells into new tissues. Cancer usually metastasizes through the circulatory or lymphatic systems, and the cancerous cells take residence in other, seemingly unrelated parts of the body.
Example Question #4 : Understanding Cell Types
Long-lived B cells that circulate the body and respond to subsequent infections are called __________.
Memory cells
IgG
Plasma cells
Immunoglobulins
Macrophages
Memory cells
Memory B cells circulate the body and are ready to respond to subsequent infections while plasma cells generate many antibodies to a current infect. "Immunoglobulins" refers to both the B cell receptor and to the excreted form of these proteins (known as antibodies). IgG is a class of immunoglobulins (along with IgA, IgE, IgD, and IgM). Finally, macrophages are cells that engulf non-self (and often antibody-bound) cells and communicate with T cells to promote B cell proliferation.
Example Question #201 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following is true regarding red blood cells?
They are the target of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
They produce antibodies
They have no nucleus
They are made by the liver
They live for about 1 month
They have no nucleus
Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow, and live for about 3-4 months. They are enucleated (lacking a nucleus), which makes more space available for hemoglobin molecules, which function to carry oxygen to the tissues. HIV infects T-helper cells, which are white blood cells, not red blood cells. Thus, the name makes sense since the virus infects cells of the immune system (white blood cells) and causes immunodeficiency. The liver and spleen play roles in recycling the red blood cells once they have carried out their function for about 120 days.
Example Question #202 : Systems Physiology
Which of the following is not an immune cell?
Basophils
Keratinocytes
Macrophage
Neutrophils
B-cells
Keratinocytes
Keratinocytes are not immune cells. Rather, they secrete a protein called keratin which is a large proportion of the extracellular matrix and makes up hair, nails, skin, and other parts of the body. All other cells are immune cells.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) are produced by which of the following?
B-lymphocytes, usually with input from helper T-lymphocytes
Natural killer cells
Dendritic cells
Helper T-lymphocytes, usually with input from B-lymphocytes
B-lymphocytes, usually with input from helper T-lymphocytes
B-cells produce antibodies (a subset of adaptive immunity called humoral immunity). The usual sequence involves B-cell activation via interleukins from helper T-lymphocytes, which cause the B-cell to undergo mitosis, creating numerous clones that will differentiate into plasma cells (rapid antibody producers) or memory B-cells.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) can be found in which of the following tissues?
The linings of the digestive and respiratory tracts
Only in the blood plasma and certain secretions
Only in the blood plasma
Blood plasma, tissue fluid, and on the surface of some immune cells
Blood plasma, tissue fluid, and on the surface of some immune cells
Antibodies (or immunoglobulins) are produced by B-leukocytes and plasma cells, and are a key part of humoral (having to do with bodily fluids) immunity. As such, they can be found in several of the fluids circulating or exiting the body. Some types of immunoglobulins can even cross the placenta or be secreted in breast milk to pass immunity from a mother to her child.
Example Question #201 : Systems Physiology
Immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) can work in many ways. Which answer option describes a mechanism of immunoglobulin function?
All of the other answers
Complement fixation
Neutralization
Precipitation
All of the other answers
All of the given answer options describe mechanisms for immunoglobulin function.
Neutralization occurs when the antibodies simply cover the biologically active portion of the pathogen, rendering it harmless. Complement fixation refers to the antibodies binding to the pathogen and facilitating the activation of the complement system (a series of plasma proteins that activate other immune processes). Precipitation is when antibodies link the antigens on many pathogens together, creating an insoluble clump ready for removal.