Adaptive Immunity Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main types of adaptive immunity?

Humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity.

How does adaptive immunity differ from innate immunity?

Adaptive immunity is specific and acquired over time, while innate immunity is non-specific and present at birth.

What role do B cells play in humoral immunity?

B cells produce antibodies that target extracellular pathogens.

What is the significance of memory in adaptive immunity?

Memory allows the immune system to respond more quickly and effectively upon re-exposure to a pathogen. Signup and view all the answers

Define specificity in the context of adaptive immunity.

Specificity is the ability of the immune system to distinguish between various foreign antigens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of T cells in cell-mediated immunity?

T cells target and destroy intracellular pathogens and abnormal cells. Signup and view all the answers

Why is discrimination between self and non-self important for adaptive immunity?

It prevents the immune system from attacking the body's own cells while responding to foreign antigens. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to B cells upon encountering a foreign antigen?

B cells become activated and differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between natural active immunity and natural passive immunity?

Natural active immunity is developed when the immune system produces antibodies after exposure to a pathogen, while natural passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from one individual to another without the recipient's immune system responding. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of artificial active immunity and explain how it works.

An example of artificial active immunity is vaccination with the MMR vaccine, where weakened or killed pathogens stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells. Signup and view all the answers

How do maternal antibodies provide protection to a newborn, and what type of immunity does this represent?

Maternal antibodies passed to a baby through the placenta or breast milk provide temporary protection against infections, representing natural passive immunity. Signup and view all the answers

What role do memory cells play in natural active immunity?

Memory cells are essential in natural active immunity as they allow the immune system to recognize and combat the same pathogen more efficiently if re-exposed in the future. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of artificial passive immunity and provide an example of its application.

Artificial passive immunity is important as it provides immediate but temporary protection against infections, such as receiving an antibody injection for rabies exposure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary target of humoral immunity?

Humoral immunity is primarily effective against extracellular pathogens and toxins. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of Helper T cells in the immune response.

Helper T cells assist in immune system functions by producing growth factors that stimulate B-cell proliferation and antibody production. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Cytotoxic T cells from other T cells?

Cytotoxic T cells directly attack and kill infected or abnormal cells by releasing cytotoxic substances. Signup and view all the answers

What function do Memory T cells serve in the immune system?

Memory T cells recognize previously encountered antigens and are primed to respond quickly to reinfections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Suppressor T cells in immune regulation?

Suppressor T cells inhibit the functions of cytotoxic and helper T cells, preventing the immune system from attacking the body's own cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are Natural Killer (NK) cells and their primary function?

Natural Killer cells are a type of lymphocyte that attack and destroy target cells, including larger parasites. Signup and view all the answers

How does natural immunity differ from artificial immunity?

Natural immunity occurs without deliberate intervention, while artificial immunity results from deliberate actions, like vaccinations. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to T cells after their initial exposure to an antigen?

After exposure to an antigen, T cells proliferate and differentiate into various types, including memory T cells and cytotoxic T cells. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adaptive Immunity

Adaptive immunity is a specific immune response acquired over time.
It is characterized by specificity, memory, and the ability to differentiate between "self" and "non-self".
This type of immunity is also called acquired immunity.
It is gained through exposure to a pathogen or through vaccination.
There are two main types: Humoral immunity and Cell-mediated immunity.

Humoral Immunity

This immunity is controlled by B cells (B lymphocytes).
B cells produce antibodies.
It primarily targets extracellular pathogens (like bacteria and viruses outside of cells) and toxins.
It works by:
- B cells recognize and bind to antigens on pathogens.
- Activated B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which then secrete antibodies.
- Antibodies neutralize pathogens or mark them for destruction by other immune cells (like macrophages).
Memory B cells are generated, allowing for a faster and stronger immune response upon re-exposure to the same pathogen.

Cell-Mediated Immunity

This immunity is controlled by T cells (T lymphocytes), which do not produce antibodies.
T cells directly attack infected or abnormal cells.
There are various types of T cells with specific roles:
- Helper T cells (TH): Assist in the immune response, producing growth factors that stimulate B cell proliferation and differentiation, and enhancing cytotoxic T cell activity.
- Cytotoxic T cells (TC): These "killer" cells destroy infected cells and some abnormal cells directly by releasing cytotoxic substances.
- Memory T cells: These cells recognize previously encountered antigens, providing long-term immunity, and differentiate into various types of T cells for a quicker immune response.
- Suppressor cells (Regulatory T cells): Function to suppress the activity of cytotoxic and helper T cells, preventing the immune system from attacking the body's own cells.

Natural Immunity

It develops naturally through exposure to pathogens in everyday life.
Types of natural immunity:
- Natural active immunity: This type develops when the immune system responds to a pathogen, producing antibodies and memory cells.
- Natural passive immunity: This type occurs when antibodies are passed from one person to another naturally, for example, from mother to baby through the placenta during pregnancy or breast milk.

Artificial Immunity

This type is acquired through deliberate exposure to a pathogen or its components, typically through medical intervention.
Types of artificial immunity:
- Artificial active immunity: This type develops when a person receives a vaccination, producing antibodies and memory cells without contracting the disease.
- Artificial passive immunity: This type occurs when pre-formed antibodies are directly transferred to an individual, providing immediate but temporary protection.

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Description

Test your knowledge on adaptive immunity, including its characteristics, types, and mechanisms. This quiz delves into humoral immunity and the role of B cells in the immune response. Perfect for students studying immunology or related health sciences.