Immune System MCQs

Immune System

• The primary function of the immune system is to defend against infectious disease-causing microbes.
• The term "immunity" is derived from the Latin word "immunitas," meaning protection of Roman politicians from prosecution.

Primary Physiologic Function

• The primary physiologic function of the immune system is to eradicate established infections.

Vaccination

• Edward Jenner was the first to make a vaccine.

Innate Immunity

• Innate immunity has a rapid response to microbes.
• It reacts in essentially the same way to repeated infections.
• It exists prior to infection.
• It does not have memory.

Adaptive Immunity

• Adaptive immunity is characterized by a delayed response but has memory.
• It has strict specificity for distinct macromolecules associated with a pathogen.
• It can stimulate innate immunity and influence its nature.

Humoral Immunity

• B lymphocytes are primarily responsible for humoral immunity.
• Humoral immunity is not effective against intracellular microbes.

Cellular Immunity

• Cellular immunity is effective against intracellular microbes such as viruses and some bacteria.
• It is important for defense against intracellular microbes.

Passive Immunity

• Passive immunity involves the transfer of serum antibodies or lymphocytes from an immune individual to a naive individual.
• It does not generate memory and is not long-lasting.

Clonal Selection Hypothesis

• The clonal selection hypothesis states that only lymphocytes bearing an antigen-specific receptor will become activated during an adaptive immune response.
• It also states that a given lymphocyte produces only one type of antigen-specific molecule.

Adaptive Immune Responses

• Adaptive immune responses are capable of clonal expansion in response to antigen stimulation.
• They have memory and can respond more vigorously to repeated exposure to the same microbe.
• Immunological memory refers to the immune system's ability to remember past infections and respond more effectively to subsequent exposures.

Test your knowledge of the immune system with these multiple choice questions. Learn about the primary functions and concepts related to the immune system.