Deck 43: The Immune System

Question 1

Mammals have Toll-like receptors (TLRs)that can recognize a kind of macromolecule that is absent from vertebrates but present in/on certain groups of pathogens, including viral

A) lipopolysaccharides.
B) double-stranded DNA.
C) double-stranded RNA.
D) glycoproteins.
E) phospholipids.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

An invertebrate, such as an insect, has innate immunity activity in its intestine that likely includes

A) complement.
B) lysozyme.
C) mucus.
D) neutrophils.
E) dendritic cells.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Histamines trigger dilation of nearby blood vessels as well as an increase in their permeability, producing

A) redness and heat only.
B) swelling only.
C) pain.
D) redness, heat, and swelling.
E) all of the signs of a major infection.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

In some insects, such as Drosophila, fungal cell wall elements can activate the protein Toll, which

A) acts as a receptor that, when activated, signals synthesis of antimicrobial peptides.
B) functions directly to attack the fungi presented to it.
C) produces antimicrobial peptides by interaction with chitin.
D) secretes special recognition signal molecules that identify specific pathogens.
E) causes some hemocytes to phagocytize the pathogens.

Question 5

Engulfing-phagocytic cells of innate immunity include all of the following except

A) neutrophils.
B) macrophages.
C) dendritic cells.
D) natural killer cells.

Question 6

Ancient peoples sought to identify the indicators of inflammation because

A) seeing such signs would be cause for their seeking out a healer in their community.
B) the presence of the signs of inflammation in a patient could be a condemnation of the healer.
C) the ancients probably knew of plant derivatives that could reduce the pain of inflammation.
D) the presence of these signs suggests that healing was taking place; otherwise, the patient would likely die.
E) the signs of inflammation served as a caution to keep people away from the patient.

Question 7

An inflammation-causing signal released by mast cells at the site of an infection is

A) an interferon.
B) lymphatic fluid.
C) histamine.
D) mucus.
E) sodium ions.

Question 8

The lymphatic fluid

A) is a filtrate of the blood, as is urine.
B) is completely separate from the circulatory system for blood.
C) carries both red and white blood cells.
D) functions in adaptive immunity but not in innate immunity.
E) carries a toxic gas that kills cancerous cells.

Question 9

The eyes and the respiratory tract are both protected against infections by

A) the mucous membranes that cover their surface.
B) the secretion of complement proteins.
C) the release of slightly alkaline secretions.
D) the secretion of lysozyme onto their surfaces.
E) interferons produced by immune cells.

Question 10

Bacteria entering the body through a small cut in the skin

A) inactivate the erythrocytes.
B) stimulate apoptosis of nearby body cells.
C) stimulate release of interferons.
D) stimulate natural killer cell activity.
E) activate a group of proteins called complement.

Question 11

The cells and signaling molecules that initiate inflammatory responses are

A) the phagocytes and the lysozymes.
B) the phagocytes and the chemokines.
C) the dendritic cells and the interferons.
D) the mast cells and the histamines.
E) the lymphocytes and the interferons.

Question 12

Cave art by early humans recognized the existence of the major signs of inflammation. The most inclusive set of symptoms of inflammation that might appear in such early human art is

A) heat, pain, and redness.
B) pain and whitening of the surrounding tissue.
C) swelling and pain.
D) antibody-producing cells.
E) swelling, heat, redness, and pain.

Question 13

Innate immunity

A) is activated immediately upon infection.
B) depends on a newly infected animal's previous exposure to the same pathogen.
C) is based on recognition of antigens that are specific to different pathogens.
D) is found only in vertebrate animals.
E) utilizes highly specific antigen receptors on B cells.

Question 14

Salmonella bacterial poisoning can be initiated when

A) the microbe survives the acidic environment of the stomach and resists lysosomal degradation in macrophages.
B) the chemotactic messengers released by the microbe do not attract sufficient neutrophils to entirely destroy the infection.
C) there is a delay in selection of the population of eosinophils that recognize and fight these microbes.
D) the microbes release chemical messengers that make them resistant to phagocytosis.
E) The combination of foods eaten at the meal reduces the pH of the stomach sufficiently so that ingested microbes are not destroyed.

Question 15

Acidity in human urine is an example of

A) cell-mediated immune responses.
B) antibody activation.
C) acquired immunity.
D) adaptive immunity.
E) innate immunity.

Question 16

A systemic inflammatory response that is often life-threatening is

A) mild fever.
B) aches and dull pain.
C) septic shock.
D) high blood pressure.
E) increased white blood cell count.

Question 17

The complement system is

A) a set of proteins involved in innate but not acquired immunity.
B) a set of proteins secreted by cytotoxic T cells and other CD8 cells.
C) a group of proteins that includes interferons and interleukins.
D) a group of antimicrobial proteins that act together in a cascade fashion.
E) a set of proteins that act individually to attack and lyse microbes.

Question 18

A fruit fly, internally infected by a potentially pathogenic fungus, is protected by

A) its plasma cells.
B) its immunoglobulins.
C) its antibodies.
D) its antimicrobial peptides.
E) its B cells.

Question 19

Inflammatory responses typically include

A) clotting proteins migrating away from the site of infection.
B) increased activity of phagocytes in an inflamed area.
C) reduced permeability of blood vessels to conserve plasma.
D) release of substances to decrease the blood supply to an inflamed area.
E) inhibiting the release of white blood cells from bone marrow.

Question 20

Antihistamine treatment reduces

A) blood vessel dilation.
B) phagocytosis of antigens.
C) MHC presentation by macrophages.
D) the secondary immune response.
E) clonal selection by antigens.

Question 21

An epitope is

A) part of the interferons that penetrate foreign cells.
B) a protein protruding from the surface of B cells.
C) two structurally similar antibodies dissolved in the blood plasma.
D) that part of an antigen that actually binds to an antigen receptor.
E) a mirror image of an antigen.

Question 22

The ability of one person to produce over a million different antibody molecules does not require over a million different genes; rather, this wide range of antibody production is due to

A) alternative splicing of exons after transcription.
B) increased rate of mutation in the RNA molecules.
C) DNA rearrangements.
D) rearrangements of cytosolic proteins in the thymus cells.
E) crossing over between the light and heavy chains of each antibody molecule during meiosis I.

Question 23

B cells have antigen receptors that bind to antigens that are either freely dissolved or present on the surface of invading/foreign cells. T cells have antigen receptors that

A) are active only in lymph nodes.
B) bind only to antigens present on the surface of the invading/foreign cells.
C) bind only to freely dissolved antigens in the plasma.
D) bind to antigens presented on major histocompatability complexes by host cells.
E) bind to antigens that are either freely dissolved or present on the surface of invading/foreign cells.

Question 24

Within a differentiated B cell, the rearrangement of DNA sequences between variable regions and joining regions is accomplished by

A) polyadenylase.
B) RNA polymerase.
C) reverse transcriptase.
D) epitopase.
E) recombinase.

Question 25

Infection by a bacterium that has elements on its surface that enhance its resistance to lysozyme will likely result in

A) destruction of the bacterium by NK cells.
B) successful reproduction of the bacterium and continued progression of the disease.
C) removal of the bacterium by dendritic cells and its concentration in lymph nodes.
D) the infected individual's humoral immunity becoming the only route of infection response.
E) lymphocytes migrating from the thymus to attack the bacterium.

Question 26

A newborn who is accidentally given a drug that destroys the thymus would most likely

A) lack class I MHC molecules on cell surfaces.
B) lack humoral immunity.
C) be unable to genetically rearrange antigen receptors.
D) be unable to differentiate and mature T cells.
E) have a reduced number of B cells and be unable to form antibodies.

Question 27

An immunoglobulin (Ig)molecule, of whatever class, with regions symbolized as C or V, H or L, has a light chain made up of

A) one C region and one V region.
B) three C regions and one V region.
C) one H region and one L region.
D) three H regions and one L region.
E) two C regions and two V regions.

Question 28

Septic shock, a systemic response including high fever and low blood pressure, is a response to

A) certain bacterial infections.
B) specific forms of viruses.
C) the presence of natural killer cells.
D) a fever of >103°F in adults.
E) increased production of neutrophils.

Question 29

Clonal selection of B cells activated by antigen exposure leads to production of

A) large numbers of neutrophils.
B) large quantities of the antigen initially recognized.
C) vast numbers of B cells with random antigen-recognition receptors.
D) long-lived erythrocytes that can later secrete antibodies for the antigen.
E) short-lived plasma cells that secrete antibodies for the antigen.

Question 30

The MHC is important in a T cell's ability to

A) distinguish self from nonself.
B) recognize specific parasitic pathogens.
C) identify specific bacterial pathogens.
D) identify specific viruses.
E) recognize differences among types of cancer.

Question 31

The activation of helper T cells is likely

A) when an antigen is displayed by a dendritic cell.
B) when a cytotoxic T cell releases cytokines.
C) when natural killer (NK) cells come in contact with a tumor cell.
D) in the bone marrow during the self-tolerance test.
E) when B cells respond to T-independent antigens.

Question 32

Adaptive immunity depends on

A) traits common to groups of pathogens.
B) pathogen-specific recognition.
C) maternal provision of antibodies to offspring.
D) plants being exposed to new pathogens.
E) having exhausted all options for innate immunity responses.

Question 33

Antigens are

A) proteins found in the blood that cause foreign blood cells to clump.
B) proteins embedded in B cell membranes.
C) proteins that consist of two light and two heavy polypeptide chains.
D) foreign molecules that trigger the generation of antibodies.
E) proteins released during an inflammatory response.

Question 34

The receptors on T cells and B cells bind to

A) antibodies.
B) antigens.
C) natural killer cells.
D) double-stranded RNA.
E) immunoglobulins.

Question 35

Clonal selection is an explanation for how

A) a single type of stem cell can produce both red blood cells and white blood cells.
B) V, J, and C gene segments are rearranged.
C) an antigen can provoke production of high levels of specific antibodies.
D) HIV can disrupt the immune system.
E) macrophages can recognize specific T cells and B cells.

Question 36

Secondary immune responses upon a second exposure to a pathogen are due to the activation of

A) memory cells.
B) macrophages.
C) stem cells.
D) B cells.
E) T cells.

Question 37

Clonal selection implies that

A) brothers and sisters have similar immune responses.
B) antigens increase mitosis in specific lymphocytes.
C) only certain cells can produce interferon.
D) a B cell has multiple types of antigen receptors.
E) the body selects which antigens it will respond to.

Question 38

Bacterial infection in a previously uninfected house cat would most quickly activate its

A) Toll-like receptors that bind to lipopolysaccharides.
B) memory cells to produce antibodies.
C) plasma cells to produce antigens.
D) cytotoxic T cells.
E) humoral immune responses.

Question 39

A key part of the humoral immune response is

A) the attack of cytotoxic T cells on infected host cells.
B) the production of antibodies by plasma cells.
C) perforation of infected host cells by perforin.
D) the attack of phagocytes on living pathogens.
E) the initiation of programmed cell death in infected host cells.

Question 40

A patient who can produce antibodies against some bacterial pathogens, but not against viral infections, probably has a disorder in his

A) B cells.
B) plasma cells.
C) natural killer cells.
D) T cells.
E) macrophages.

Question 41

The primary function of humoral immunity is

A) to defend against fungi and protozoa.
B) to reject transplanted tissues.
C) to protect the body against cells that become cancerous.
D) to protect the body against extracellular pathogens.
E) to defend against bacteria and viruses that have already infected cells.

Question 42

This type of immunity is present only when a newborn infant is being fed by actively nursing on its mother and ends when nursing ends.

A) innate immunity
B) active immunity
C) passive immunity
D) cell-mediated immunity
E) adaptive immunity

Question 43

T cells of the immune system include

A) CD4, CD8, and plasma cells.
B) cytotoxic and helper cells.
C) plasma, antigen-presenting, and memory cells.
D) lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
E) class I MHC, class II MHC, and memory cells.

Question 44

Phagocytosis of microbes by macrophages is enhanced by

A) the binding of antibodies to the surface of microbes.
B) antibody-mediated agglutination of microbes.
C) the release of cytokines by activated B cells.
D) the binding of antibodies to the surface of microbes and antibody-mediated agglutination of microbes only.
E) the binding of antibodies to the surface of microbes, antibody-mediated agglutination of microbes, and the release of cytokines by activated B cells.

Question 45

Normal immune responses can be described as polyclonal because

A) blood contains many different antibodies and antigens.
B) construction of a hybridoma requires multiple types of cells.
C) multiple immunoglobulins are produced from descendants of a single B cell.
D) diverse antibodies are produced for different epitopes of a specific antigen.
E) macrophages, T cells, and B cells all are involved in a normal immune response.

Question 46

When antibodies bind antigens, the clumping of antigens results from

A) the multivalence of the antibody having at least two binding regions.
B) disulfide bridges between the antigens.
C) complement that makes the affected cells sticky.
D) bonds between class I and class II MHC molecules.
E) denaturation of the antibodies.

Question 47

Yearly vaccination of humans for influenza viruses is necessary because

A) of an increase in immunodeficiency diseases.
B) flu can generate anaphylactic shock.
C) surviving the flu one year exhausts the immune system to nonresponsiveness the second year.
D) rapid mutation in flu viruses alters the surface proteins in infected host cells.
E) flu leads to autoimmune disorders.

Question 48

Select the pathway that would lead to the activation of cytotoxic T cells.

A) B cell contact antigen → helper T cell is activated → clonal selection occurs
B) body cell becomes infected with a virus → new viral proteins appear → class I MHC molecule-antigen complex displayed on cell surface
C) self-tolerance of immune cells → B cells contact antigen → cytokines released
D) complement is secreted → B cell contacts antigen → helper T cell activated → cytokines released
E) cytotoxic T cells → class II MHC molecule-antigen complex displayed → cytokines released → cell lysis

Question 49

The cells involved in innate immunity, whose absence increases the chances of developing malignant tumors, are

A) cytotoxic T cells.
B) natural killer cells.
C) helper T cells.
D) macrophages.
E) B cells.

Question 50

Arrange these components of the mammalian immune system as it first responds to a pathogen in the correct sequence.
I)Pathogen is destroyed.
II)Lymphocytes secrete antibodies.
III)Antigenic determinants from pathogen bind to antigen receptors on lymphocytes.
IV)Lymphocytes specific to antigenic determinants from pathogen become numerous.
V)Only memory cells remain.

A) I → III → II → IV → V
B) III → II → I → V → IV
C) II → I → IV → III → V
D) IV → II → III → I → V
E) III → IV → II → I → V

Question 51

CD4 and CD8 are

A) proteins secreted by antigen-presenting cells.
B) receptors present on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells.
C) T-independent antigens.
D) molecules present on the surface of T cells where they interact with MHC molecules.
E) molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells where they enhance B cell activity.

Question 52

A cell type that interacts with both the humoral and cell-mediated immune pathways is a

A) plasma cell.
B) cytotoxic T cell.
C) natural killer cell.
D) CD8 cell.
E) helper T cell.

Question 53

Which of the following cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity and also respond to class I MHC molecule-antigen complexes?

A) cytotoxic T cells
B) natural killer cells
C) helper T cells
D) macrophages
E) B cells

Question 54

B cells interacting with helper T cells are stimulated to differentiate when

A) B cells produce IgE antibodies.
B) B cells release cytokines.
C) helper T cells present the class II MHC molecule-antigen complex on their surface.
D) helper T cells differentiate into cytotoxic T cells.
E) helper T cells release cytokines.

Question 55

A nonfunctional CD4 protein on a helper T cell would result in the helper T cell being unable to

A) respond to T-independent antigens.
B) lyse tumor cells.
C) stimulate a cytotoxic T cell.
D) interact with a class I MHC-antigen complex.
E) interact with a class II MHC-antigen complex.

Question 56

The function of antibodies is to

A) inject toxins into living pathogens.
B) secrete cytokines that attract macrophages to infection sites.
C) release perforins to disrupt infected cells.
D) act as Toll-like receptors.
E) mark pathogenic cells for destruction.

Question 57

Immunological memory accounts for

A) the human body's ability to distinguish self from nonself.
B) the observation that some strains of the pathogen that causes dengue fever cause worse disease than others.
C) the ability of a helper T cell to signal B cells via cytokines.
D) the ancient observation that someone who had recovered from the plague could safely care for those newly diseased.
E) the ability of the immune system to present antigen fragments in association with MHC antigens.

Question 58

The cell-mediated immunity that destroys virally infected cells involves

A) cytotoxic T cells.
B) natural killer cells.
C) helper T cells.
D) macrophages.
E) B cells.

Question 59

Antibodies of the different classes IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE differ from each other

A) in the way they are produced.
B) in their heavy-chain structure.
C) in the type of cell that produces them.
D) by the antigenic determinants that they recognize.
E) by the number of carbohydrate subunits they have.

Question 60

Among the last line of defenses against prolonged exposure to an extracellular pathogen is

A) lysozyme production.
B) phagocytosis by neutrophils.
C) antibody production by plasma cells.
D) histamine release by basophils.
E) lysis by natural killer cells.

Question 61

Jenner's successful use of cowpox virus as a vaccine against the smallpox virus is due to the fact that

A) the immune system responds nonspecifically to antigens.
B) the cowpox virus made antibodies in response to the presence of smallpox.
C) cowpox and smallpox are antibodies with similar immunizing properties.
D) there are some antigenic determinants common to both pox viruses.
E) cowpox and smallpox are caused by the same virus.

Question 62

An immune response to a tissue graft will differ from an immune response to a bacterium because

A) MHC molecules of the donor may stimulate rejection of the graft tissue, but bacteria lack MHC molecules.
B) the tissue graft, unlike the bacterium, is isolated from the circulation and will not enter into an immune response.
C) a response to the graft will involve B cells and a response to the bacterium will not.
D) a bacterium cannot escape the immune system by replicating inside normal body cells.
E) the graft will stimulate an autoimmune response in the recipient.

Question 63

An example of a pathogen that undergoes rapid changes resulting in antigenic variation is

A) the influenza virus, which expresses alternative envelope proteins.
B) the strep bacteria, which can be communicated from patient to patient with high efficiency.
C) human papilloma virus, which can remain latent for several years.
D) the causative agent of the autoimmune disease known as rheumatoid arthritis.
E) multiple sclerosis, which attacks the myelinated cells of the nervous system.

Question 64

The transfusion of type A blood to a person who has type O blood would result in

A) the recipient's B antigens reacting with the donated anti-B antibodies.
B) the recipient's anti-A antibodies clumping the donated red blood cells.
C) the recipient's anti-A and anti-O antibodies reacting with the donated red blood cells if the donor was a heterozygote (Ai) for blood type.
D) no reaction because type O is a universal donor.
E) no reaction because the O-type individual does not have antibodies.

Question 65

A patient who undergoes a high level of mast cell degranulation, dilation of blood vessels, and acute drop in blood pressure is likely suffering from

A) an autoimmune disease.
B) a typical allergy that can be treated by antihistamines.
C) an organ transplant, such as a skin graft.
D) the effect of exhaustion on the immune system.
E) anaphylactic shock immediately following exposure to an allergen.

Question 66

The ability of some viruses to remain inactive (latent)for a period of time is exemplified by

A) influenza, a particular strain of which returns every 10-20 years.
B) herpes simplex viruses (oral or genital) whose reproduction is triggered by physiological or emotional stress in the host.
C) Kaposi's sarcoma, which causes a skin cancer in people with AIDS, but rarely in those not infected by HIV.
D) the virus that causes a form of the common cold, which recurs in patients many times in their lives.
E) myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that blocks muscle contraction from time to time.

Question 67

A patient complaining of watery, itchy eyes and sneezing after being given a flower bouquet as a birthday gift should first be treated with

A) a vaccine.
B) complement.
C) sterile pollen.
D) antihistamines.
E) monoclonal antibodies.

Question 68

The number of MHC protein combinations possible in a given population is enormous. However, an individual in that diverse population has a far more limited array of MHC molecules because

A) the MHC proteins are made from several different gene regions that are capable of rearranging in a number of ways.
B) MHC proteins from one individual can only be of class I or class II.
C) each of the MHC genes has a large number of alleles, but each individual only inherits two for each gene.
D) once a B cell has matured in the bone marrow, it is limited to two MHC response categories.
E) once a T cell has matured in the thymus, it can only respond to two MHC categories.

Question 69

Preventing the appearance of the symptoms of an allergy attack would be the likely result of

A) blocking the attachment of the IgE antibodies to the mast cells.
B) blocking the antigenic determinants of the IgM antibodies.
C) reducing the number of helper T cells in the body.
D) reducing the number of cytotoxic cells.
E) reducing the number of natural killer cells.

Question 70

Naturally acquired passive immunity results from the

A) injection of vaccine.
B) ingestion of interferon.
C) placental transfer of antibodies.
D) absorption of pathogens through mucous membranes.
E) injection of antibodies.

Question 71

A bone marrow transplant may not be appropriate from a given donor (Jane)to a given recipient (Jane's cousin Bob), even though Jane has previously given blood for one of Bob's needed transfusions, because

A) even though Jane's blood type is a match to Bob's, her MHC proteins may not be a match.
B) a blood type match is less stringent than a match required for transplant because blood is more tolerant of change.
C) for each gene, there is only one blood allele but many tissue alleles.
D) Jane's class II genes are not expressed in bone marrow.
E) Bob's immune response has been made inadequate before he receives the transplant.

Question 72

Most newly emerging diseases result in

A) greater severity as there are more and more occurrences of the infection.
B) major pandemics, spreading the infection far and wide in the population.
C) the waning of the disease, due to evolutionary selection for resistant hosts and milder pathogens.
D) a destruction of the host's immune system and eventual cancer.
E) no discoverable relationship with other pathogens in the same or related species.

Question 73

A diseased patient is exposed to an unknown agent while out of the country. The patient's blood is found to have a high proportion of lymphocytes with CD8 surface proteins in her blood, a likely result of

A) the patient having encountered a bacterial infection which elicited CD8+ T cells.
B) the disease having been caused by a multicellular parasite, such as can be encountered in polluted water sources.
C) the CD8 proteins having been discharged from these lymphocytes to lyse the infected cells.
D) a viral infection eliciting proliferation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.
E) the CD8 proteins having "marked" the surface of cells that accumulate after the infection is over and signal patient recovery.

Question 74

In active immunity, but not passive immunity, there is

A) acquisition and activation of antibodies.
B) proliferation of lymphocytes in bone marrow.
C) the transfer of antibodies from the mother across the placenta.
D) the requirement for direct exposure to a living or simulated pathogen.
E) the requirement of secretion of interleukins from macrophages.

Question 75

For the successful development of a vaccine to be used against a pathogen, it is necessary that

A) the surface antigens of the pathogen not change.
B) a rearrangement of the B cell receptor antibodies takes place.
C) all of the surface antigens on the pathogen be identified.
D) the pathogen has only one epitope.
E) the MHC molecules are heterozygous.

Question 76

A patient who has a parasitic worm infection and another patient responding to an allergen such as ragweed pollen have which of the following in common?

A) an increase in cytotoxic T cell number
B) suffering from anaphylactic shock
C) risking development of an autoimmune disease
D) suffering from a decreased level of innate immunity
E) an increase in the levels of IgE

Question 77

In the human disease known as lupus, there is an immune reaction against a patient's own DNA from broken or dying cells, which categorizes lupus as

A) an allergy.
B) an immunodeficiency.
C) an autoimmune disease.
D) an antigenic variation.
E) a cancer.

Question 78

Infection with HIV typically

A) increases the level of helper T cells for the first year after infection.
B) eliminates all T cells immediately.
C) leads to an immediate decrease in the number of HIV in the blood.
D) alters mitochondrial but not genomic DNA sequences.
E) is found in B cells but not in T cells.

Question 79

The switch of one B cell from producing one class of antibody to another antibody class that is responsive to the same antigen is due to

A) mutation in the genes of that B cell, induced by exposure to the antigen.
B) the rearrangement of V region genes in that clone of responsive B cells.
C) a switch in the kind of antigen-presenting cell that is involved in the immune response.
D) a patient's reaction to the first kind of antibody made by the plasma cells.
E) the rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy-chain C region DNA.

Question 80

An individual who has been bitten by a poisonous snake that has a fast-acting toxin would likely benefit from

A) vaccination with a weakened form of the toxin.
B) injection of antibodies to the toxin.
C) injection of interleukin-1.
D) injection of interleukin-2.
E) injection of interferon.