High School Biology : Immune System

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Understanding Innate Immunity

Which of the following is not a part of the innate (non-specific) immune system?

Possible Answers:

Lymphocytes

Natural killer cells

Mucus

Skin

Leukocytes

Correct answer:

Lymphocytes

Explanation:

Lymphocytes are part of the adaptive (specific) immune system, which monitors and dispatches in response to specific threats. The adaptive immune response utilizes antibody secretions from B-lymphocytes to target specific pathogens for elimination.

In contrast, the innate immune system is largely designed to prevent entry and propagation of non-specific pathogens. It is composed of barriers (such as skin and mucus linings) as well as non-specific immune cells (such as macrophages and natural killer cells).

Example Question #11 : Immune System

Which of the following is NOT a part of innate immunity?

Possible Answers:

The skin, which helps keep diseases out of the body

Lymphocytes that destroy known threats to the body

Immune "memory" which allows the body to recognize threats again in the future

Mast cells that produce a response to infection or injury

Correct answer:

Immune "memory" which allows the body to recognize threats again in the future

Explanation:

The innate immune system is the part of your immune system that responds to threats almost immediately. It contains all the aspects which react to all threats and is generally seen as less complex than the adaptive immune system. The adaptive immune system includes aspects that respond to specific threats and develop memory to fight threats later on.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Cells Of The Immune System

What cell is responsible for releasing free antibodies into the bloodstream? 

Possible Answers:

Neutrophils

B-lymphocytes

T-lymphocytes

Plasma cells

Correct answer:

Plasma cells

Explanation:

Each B-lymphocyte cell is responsible for creating one specific antibody. If the B-lymphocyte's antibody matches to the right antigen, the lymphocyte will differentiate into a plasma cell. Plasma cells release free antibodies into the bloodstream. The transition process from B-cell to plasma cell is mediated by helper T-cells.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Cells Of The Immune System

Which type of cell is part of adaptive immunity?

Possible Answers:

Neutrophils

T-cell lymphocytes

Macrophages

Monocytes

Correct answer:

T-cell lymphocytes

Explanation:

Adaptive immunity involves immune cells created due to previously experiencing an infection by a particular pathogen. T-cell lymphocytes mature in the thymus, and recognize a specific antigen. T-cells and B-cells work to produce antibodies against a specific antigen, making them highly specific. This specification is only found in the adaptive immune system

In contrast, the innate immune system can respond to any pathogen, regardless of previous exposure, Neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages are all part of the innate immune response and help with phagocytosis and inflammation.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Cells Of The Immune System

Which of the following are long-lived and provide future immunity against a second invasion by the same antigen?

Possible Answers:

Helper T-cells

Macrophages

Effector molecules

Memory B-cells

B-cells

Correct answer:

Memory B-cells

Explanation:

Memory B-cells are long-lived descendents of B-cells that "remember" their encounter with an antigen and can rapidly respond to reexposure to the same antigen. Helper T-cells stimulate the immune responses by B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells. B-cells produce antibodies. Macrophages destroy invading microbes via phagocytosis and alert other immune cells to the invasion. Effector molecules include histamine and the cell-destroying proteins of cytotoxic T-cells. 

Example Question #4 : Understanding Cells Of The Immune System

If you are fighting an active infection, chances are __________.

Possible Answers:

None of the other answer choices is correct.

your white blood cell count is elevated

your white blood cell count is lowered

your red blood cell count is elevated

your red blood cell count is lowered

Correct answer:

your white blood cell count is elevated

Explanation:

In response to infection, white blood cells multiply so that they can make antibodies against whatever it is your body is fighting off.

Example Question #5 : Understanding Cells Of The Immune System

The human immune system includes several types of specialized cells whose role is to eliminate invaders threatening the health of the body.

A certain immune cell has a certain type of antibody on its surface. When it comes in contact with a pathogen (attacker) that matches its antibodies, the immune cell signals other immune cells to attack the invader and produces more antibodies in order to flag other invaders of the same type. What type of cell is this immune cell?

Possible Answers:

B-lymphocyte

Macrophage

Helper T-cell

Natural killer cell

Killer T-cell

Correct answer:

B-lymphocyte

Explanation:

B-lymphocytes are the immune system's "memory"—once the body is attacked by a certain virus or bacteria, the body produces B-lymphocytes that can specifically recognize that disease. When the B-lymphocyte comes in contact with the disease (recognized by antibodies) it signals killer T-cells and helper T-cells to attack, and creates more antibodies to signal additional T-cells.

Natural killer cells destroy any cells of the human body that have become infected by an attacker. 

Macrophages are a general clean-up cell that sweep up debris, old cells, and sometimes attackers via phagocytosis.

Killer and helper T-cells are both activated by B-lymphocytes

Example Question #2 : Understanding Cells Of The Immune System

Which of the following cells of the immune system release antibodies into the bloodstream?

Possible Answers:

Dendritic cells

B cells

T cells

Helper T cells

Cytotoxic T cells

Correct answer:

B cells

Explanation:

B cells make antibodies that are specific to antigens. Antibodies bind to antigens to tag them for destruction. Cytotoxic T cells recognize and bind antigens and destroy them immediately. Helper T cells recognize antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells such as dendridic cells, and bring them to the attention of B cells, stimulating the B cells to begin making lots of antibodies.

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