Question 1

One of your peers asks you to explain the term immunoassay. You tell him that it

Accepted Answer

A)  is an in vivo test in which known antibodies or antigens are used to detect or quantify given antibodies or antigens. 
B)  is an in vitro test in which known antibodies or antigens are used to detect or quantify given antibodies or antigens. 
C)  is the study of in vitro antibody-antigen reactions, particularly those that detect antibodies in serum. 
D)  is an in vitro test that uses unlabeled antibodies to detect a very common antigen in a sample. 
E)  is an in vitro test in which unknown antigens are used to detect unknown antibodies. 
A)  is an in vivo test in which known antibodies or antigens are used to detect or quantify given antibodies or antigens. 
B)  is an in vitro test in which known antibodies or antigens are used to detect or quantify given antibodies or antigens. 
C)  is the study of in vitro antibody-antigen reactions, particularly those that detect antibodies in serum. 
D)  is an in vitro test that uses unlabeled antibodies to detect a very common antigen in a sample. 
E)  is an in vitro test in which unknown antigens are used to detect unknown antibodies.

Question 2

A monoclonal antibody is typically IgE and recognizes several epitopes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The MMRV vaccine is an attenuated vaccine, which means that the vaccine

Accepted Answer

A)  contains empty virus capsids produced by genetically engineered microorganisms such as yeasts. 
B)  contains viruses inactivated with formalin or another chemical that does not significantly change the surface epitopes. 
C)  is composed of a weakened form of the pathogen that is generally unable to cause disease. 
D)  contains toxins that are treated to destroy the toxic part of the molecules while retaining the antigenic epitopes. 
E)  is composed only of key protein antigens or antigenic fragments from the pathogen. 
A)  contains empty virus capsids produced by genetically engineered microorganisms such as yeasts. 
B)  contains viruses inactivated with formalin or another chemical that does not significantly change the surface epitopes. 
C)  is composed of a weakened form of the pathogen that is generally unable to cause disease. 
D)  contains toxins that are treated to destroy the toxic part of the molecules while retaining the antigenic epitopes. 
E)  is composed only of key protein antigens or antigenic fragments from the pathogen.

Question 4

All of the following are true about the term vaccination EXCEPT it

Accepted Answer

A)  is a general term that would include the process of variolation. 
B)  was coined by Jenner. 
C)  was coined by Pasteur and comes from the Latin for cow, variola. 
D)  comes from the Latin for cow, vacca. 
E)  was coined by Jenner and comes from the Latin for cow, vacca. 
A)  is a general term that would include the process of variolation. 
B)  was coined by Jenner. 
C)  was coined by Pasteur and comes from the Latin for cow, variola. 
D)  comes from the Latin for cow, vacca. 
E)  was coined by Jenner and comes from the Latin for cow, vacca.

Question 5

Since many childhood diseases such as mumps and measles are rare now within the United States, why is it still important for children to be immunized against them?

Accepted Answer

A)  If we lose herd immunity by removing mandatory vaccination, our population will become susceptible to these illnesses again in a short period of time. 
B)  There is always the likelihood that an individual from another country could import one of these illnesses into the United States, sparking an outbreak of new infections, if we aren't all properly vaccinated. 
C)  By keeping the population vaccinated, we keep incidence rates of these illnesses very low. This helps to protect people that cannot be vaccinated (very young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, the elderly). 
D)  Many of these diseases are HIGHLY contagious, and commonly through respiratory droplet (airborne) transmission. This makes an outbreak within a susceptible population very possible. Keeping the population resistant through mandatory vaccination prevents this possibility. 
E)  All of the options are correct. 
A)  If we lose herd immunity by removing mandatory vaccination, our population will become susceptible to these illnesses again in a short period of time. 
B)  There is always the likelihood that an individual from another country could import one of these illnesses into the United States, sparking an outbreak of new infections, if we aren't all properly vaccinated. 
C)  By keeping the population vaccinated, we keep incidence rates of these illnesses very low. This helps to protect people that cannot be vaccinated (very young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, the elderly). 
D)  Many of these diseases are HIGHLY contagious, and commonly through respiratory droplet (airborne) transmission. This makes an outbreak within a susceptible population very possible. Keeping the population resistant through mandatory vaccination prevents this possibility. 
E)  All of the options are correct.

Question 6

You explain to the class that ELISA tests may be direct or indirect. Please select the FALSE statement regarding these tests.

Accepted Answer

A)  In direct ELISAs, specific antigens in the sample are "captured" by antibodies that have been attached to the inside surface of the well 
B)  ELISAs have advantages over other common immunoassays in that they are easy to do and often require minimal technical skills. 
C)  ELISA tests are 100% accurate; unlike other immunoassays, ELISAs never yield false positive results, so additional testing is not required. 
D)  ELISA tests are often done in microtiter plates, allowing multiple samples to be tested all at once. 
E)  Indirect ELISAs require a labeled secondary antibody to detect the unlabeled first (primary) antibody. 
A)  In direct ELISAs, specific antigens in the sample are "captured" by antibodies that have been attached to the inside surface of the well 
B)  ELISAs have advantages over other common immunoassays in that they are easy to do and often require minimal technical skills. 
C)  ELISA tests are 100% accurate; unlike other immunoassays, ELISAs never yield false positive results, so additional testing is not required. 
D)  ELISA tests are often done in microtiter plates, allowing multiple samples to be tested all at once. 
E)  Indirect ELISAs require a labeled secondary antibody to detect the unlabeled first (primary) antibody.

Question 7

Attenuated agents are

Accepted Answer

A)  dead viruses. 
B)  toxins. 
C)  weakened but replicating microbes. 
D)  parts of an organism. 
E)  weakened, nonreplicating microbes. 
A)  dead viruses. 
B)  toxins. 
C)  weakened but replicating microbes. 
D)  parts of an organism. 
E)  weakened, nonreplicating microbes.

Question 8

Inactivated vaccines typically require booster shots.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

If a positive reaction is last observed at a dilution of 1:256, the titer is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  128 
B)  1/512 
C)  1/256 
D)  256 
E)  512 
A)  128 
B)  1/512 
C)  1/256 
D)  256 
E)  512

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT true of naturally acquired immunity?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the gain of adaptive immunity through normal events, such as exposure to an infectious agent. 
B)  It involves injecting a person with antibodies produced by other people or animals. 
C)  It occurs as a result of breast feeding; the secretory IgA in breast milk protects the digestive tract of the child. 
D)  It occurs during pregnancy when the mother's IgG antibodies cross the placenta and protect the fetus. 
E)  These all characterize naturally acquired immunity. 
A)  It is the gain of adaptive immunity through normal events, such as exposure to an infectious agent. 
B)  It involves injecting a person with antibodies produced by other people or animals. 
C)  It occurs as a result of breast feeding; the secretory IgA in breast milk protects the digestive tract of the child. 
D)  It occurs during pregnancy when the mother's IgG antibodies cross the placenta and protect the fetus. 
E)  These all characterize naturally acquired immunity.

Question 11

The effectiveness of DNA vaccines stems from the effective production of antibodies against the naked DNA molecule.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

A patient is tested for antibodies to a particular infectious agent and is found to be positive. What would account for the positive result in this person?

Accepted Answer

A)  The person is currently infected with the agent AND the person was previously vaccinated against the agent. 
B)  The person was previously vaccinated against the agent. 
C)  The person was infected with the agent sometime in the past AND the person is currently infected with the agent. 
D)  The person is currently infected with the agent, the person was infected with the agent sometime in the past, OR the person was previously vaccinated against the agent. 
E)  The person was previously exposed to the infectious agent OR the person was previously vaccinated against the agent AND the person is currently infected with the agent. 
A)  The person is currently infected with the agent AND the person was previously vaccinated against the agent. 
B)  The person was previously vaccinated against the agent. 
C)  The person was infected with the agent sometime in the past AND the person is currently infected with the agent. 
D)  The person is currently infected with the agent, the person was infected with the agent sometime in the past, OR the person was previously vaccinated against the agent. 
E)  The person was previously exposed to the infectious agent OR the person was previously vaccinated against the agent AND the person is currently infected with the agent.

Question 13

The scientist who made variolation safer and more effective was

Accepted Answer

A)  Pasteur. 
B)  Jenner. 
C)  Metchnikoff. 
D)  Fleming. 
E)  Ehrlich. 
A)  Pasteur. 
B)  Jenner. 
C)  Metchnikoff. 
D)  Fleming. 
E)  Ehrlich.

Question 14

Which antibodies cross the placenta and protect the fetus?

Accepted Answer

A)  IgA 
B)  IgG 
C)  IgM 
D)  IgD 
E)  IgM and IgG 
A)  IgA 
B)  IgG 
C)  IgM 
D)  IgD 
E)  IgM and IgG

Question 15

Many inactivated vaccines contain an adjuvant, a substance that enhances the immune response to antigens. An adjuvant that uses a derivative of lipid A has recently been developed. Would lipid A work well as an adjuvant?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-negative bacteria. It would similarly alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine. 
B)  Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-positive bacteria. It would likely also alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine. 
C)  Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-negative AND Gram-positive bacteria. It would similarly alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine. 
D)  No. Lipid A is actually unlikely to be successful as an adjuvant because it always causes an intense inflammatory reaction in a host, resulting in extensive tissue damage. 
E)  No. Lipid A is actually unlikely to be successful as an adjuvant because even minimal amounts of this molecule causes endotoxic shock in a person, usually resulting in death. 
A)  Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-negative bacteria. It would similarly alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine. 
B)  Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-positive bacteria. It would likely also alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine. 
C)  Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-negative AND Gram-positive bacteria. It would similarly alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine. 
D)  No. Lipid A is actually unlikely to be successful as an adjuvant because it always causes an intense inflammatory reaction in a host, resulting in extensive tissue damage. 
E)  No. Lipid A is actually unlikely to be successful as an adjuvant because even minimal amounts of this molecule causes endotoxic shock in a person, usually resulting in death.

Question 16

DNA vaccines work by

Accepted Answer

A)  stimulating production of antibodies against DNA. 
B)  stimulating interferon production. 
C)  inactivating the host DNA. 
D)  having the cell use the introduced DNA to make the microbial protein antigen. 
E)  having the cell use the introduced DNA to make inactivating microbial mRNA. 
A)  stimulating production of antibodies against DNA. 
B)  stimulating interferon production. 
C)  inactivating the host DNA. 
D)  having the cell use the introduced DNA to make the microbial protein antigen. 
E)  having the cell use the introduced DNA to make inactivating microbial mRNA.

Question 17

Why is a false positive more significant in HIV testing of patients than in screening donated blood for transfusions?

Accepted Answer

A)  It isn't-both are equally dangerous/significant. False positives in people can lead to psychological trauma, but false positives in blood could lead to the useful blood being discarded. 
B)  A false positive in a person is easily re-testable. This makes it more significant, because we would simply quickly retest the person to verify their actual HIV status. 
C)  A false positive in blood is easily re-testable. This makes it less significant, because we would simply quickly retest the blood to verify its actual HIV status. 
D)  This statement is backwards. False positives in blood testing are more significant. If the false positive rate is high, we're more likely to discard useful blood that may lead to acute blood shortages for patients needing transfusions. 
E)  This question is misleading because like all immunological testing, the HIV test is infallible and there is absolutely no possibility of false positive results. 
A)  It isn't-both are equally dangerous/significant. False positives in people can lead to psychological trauma, but false positives in blood could lead to the useful blood being discarded. 
B)  A false positive in a person is easily re-testable. This makes it more significant, because we would simply quickly retest the person to verify their actual HIV status. 
C)  A false positive in blood is easily re-testable. This makes it less significant, because we would simply quickly retest the blood to verify its actual HIV status. 
D)  This statement is backwards. False positives in blood testing are more significant. If the false positive rate is high, we're more likely to discard useful blood that may lead to acute blood shortages for patients needing transfusions. 
E)  This question is misleading because like all immunological testing, the HIV test is infallible and there is absolutely no possibility of false positive results.

Exam 18: Applications of Immune Responses

One of your peers asks you to explain the term immunoassay. You tell him that it

A monoclonal antibody is typically IgE and recognizes several epitopes.

The MMRV vaccine is an attenuated vaccine, which means that the vaccine

All of the following are true about the term vaccination EXCEPT it

Since many childhood diseases such as mumps and measles are rare now within the United States, why is it still important for children to be immunized against them?

You explain to the class that ELISA tests may be direct or indirect. Please select the FALSE statement regarding these tests.

Attenuated agents are

Inactivated vaccines typically require booster shots.

If a positive reaction is last observed at a dilution of 1:256, the titer is ________.

Which of the following is NOT true of naturally acquired immunity?

The effectiveness of DNA vaccines stems from the effective production of antibodies against the naked DNA molecule.

A patient is tested for antibodies to a particular infectious agent and is found to be positive. What would account for the positive result in this person?

The scientist who made variolation safer and more effective was

Which antibodies cross the placenta and protect the fetus?

Many inactivated vaccines contain an adjuvant, a substance that enhances the immune response to antigens. An adjuvant that uses a derivative of lipid A has recently been developed. Would lipid A work well as an adjuvant?

DNA vaccines work by

Why is a false positive more significant in HIV testing of patients than in screening donated blood for transfusions?

Humans and the Microbial World

The Molecules of Life

Microscopy and Cell Structure

Dynamics of Microbial Growth

Control of Microbial Growth

Microbial Metabolism: Fueling Cell Growth

The Blueprint of Life, From Dna to Protein

Bacterial Genetics

Biotechnology

Identifying and Classifying Microorganisms

The Diversity of Bacteria and Archaea

The Eukaryotic Members of the Microbial World

Viruses, Viroids, and Prions

The Innate Immune Response

The Adaptive Immune Response

Host-Microbe Interactions

Immunological Disorders

Epidemiology

Antimicrobial Medications

Respiratory System Infections

Skin Infections

Wound Infections

Digestive System Infections

Blood and Lymphatic Infections

Nervous System Infections

Genitourinary Tract Infections

Microbial Ecology

Environmental Microbiology: Treatment of Water, Wastes, and Polluted Habitats

Food Microbiology

Filters