Lesson # 15

Induced Immunity
Immunity can be induced. There are two types of induced immunity;

1. Active
2. Passive

Active immunity

Active immunity is long-lived and is induced by vaccination. See fig. below

After the first exposure to a vaccine, a primary response occurs.

For a period of several days, no antibodies are present; then there is a slow rise, followed by a plateau
and then a gradual decline.

After the second exposure, the antibody concentration rises rapidly.

N.B : Effective vaccination stimulates the body to launch an immune response against the antigens
contained in the vaccine. Memory cells develop, and future encounters with the same pathogen are
dealt with rapidly.

Most vaccines consist of the entire pathogen; attenuated or killed or a protein from the pathogen.

Passive immunity

 Passive immunity is short lived. It is borrowed immunity.

 It occurs when an individual is given prepared antibodies to combat a disease. These antibodies
are not produced by the individual’s B-cells.

 It’s effects are temporarily

 Passive immunity can be artificial; e.g. if a patient is given serum containing antibodies from an
outside source, e.g. in treating hepatitis A.

 Passive immunity can be natural; e.g. when a pregnant woman transfer antibodies particularly
of the Ig G class across the placenta to the developing fetus.

Review Questions

1. Phagocytes and Lymphocytes are both present in samples of blood.

a. Describe how the structure of a phagocyte differs from the structure of a lymphocyte.

T-lymphocytes are involved in immune responses to pathogens that invade the body. Immune responses
involve the following;

 Antigen presentation
 Clonal selection
 Clonal expansion

Certain groups of T-lymphocytes are activated when the body is infected with the measles virus.

b. Using the information above, describe what happens to T-lymphocytes during an immune
response to measles.
c. State how the response of B-lymphocytes during an immune response is different to the
response of T-lymphocytes.
2. Measles is a common viral infection. Babies gain passive immunity to measles.

a. Explain:
1. the term passive immunity
2. How babies gain passive immunity

A vaccine for measles has been available since the 1960’s. Global vaccination programs include providing
vaccination for measles, but it is important that the vaccine in not given to babies to early.

b. Explain why:
1. The vaccine for measles should not be given to early
2. Measles has not been eradicated, even though a vaccine has existed since the 1960’s
c. Smallpox was an infectious disease that was finally eradicated in the late 1970’s. Explain how
vaccination was used in the eradication of smallpox.

3. The figure is a diagram of an antibody molecule.

a. Describe briefly how antibody molecules are produced and secreted.

b. Name:
i. The regions X and Y
ii. The bond label Z
c. Explain how the structure of an antibody is related to it’s function.