Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Which cell type is specifically involved in adaptive immunity?

a) Monocytes
b) Neutrophils
c) Lymphocytes
d) Eosinophils
Answer: c) Lymphocytes

What is the primary role of Helper T cells (CD4+)?

a) Directly killing pathogens
b) Secreting antibodies
c) Coordinating the immune response
d) Capturing foreign antigens
Answer: c) Coordinating the immune response

Which of the following is not a characteristic of innate immunity?

a) Rapid response
b) High specificity
c) Phagocytosis
d) Pattern recognition
Answer: b) High specificity

The primary function of B-cells in the immune system is to:

a) Present antigens
b) Secrete antibodies
c) Engulf pathogens
d) Directly kill infected cells
Answer: b) Secrete antibodies

Which is a primary lymphoid organ?

a) Spleen
b) Lymph node
c) Thymus
d) Tonsils
Answer: c) Thymus

What distinguishes adaptive immunity from innate immunity?

a) Immediate response
b) Antigen specificity
c) Limited diversity
d) Lack of memory
Answer: b) Antigen specificity

The interaction between antibody and antigen is characterized by:

a) Covalent bonding
b) High repulsion
c) Noncovalent interactions
d) Irreversible binding
Answer: c) Noncovalent interactions

What is a key feature of chronic infections necessitating adaptive immunity?

a) Rapid response
b) Non-specific defense
c) Specific recognition
d) Lack of memory
Answer: c) Specific recognition
Monocytes in the blood mature into _______ in tissues.
a) Neutrophils
b) Eosinophils
c) Basophils
d) Macrophages
Answer: d) Macrophages

Which of the following cells is involved in the allergic response?

a) Neutrophil
b) Eosinophil
c) Basophil
d) Monocyte
Answer: c) Basophil

Which type of T cell is primarily involved in the direct killing of pathogens?

a) Helper T cells (CD4+)
b) Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+)
c) B cells
d) Macrophages
Answer: b) Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+)

Which of the following best describes the function of immunoglobulins?

a) Capturing and presenting antigens
b) Killing infected cells
c) Secreting cytokines
d) Binding specifically to foreign antigens
Answer: d) Binding specifically to foreign antigens

Adaptive immunity is characterized by:

a) Immediate response
b) Limited diversity
c) Memory
d) Non-specificity
Answer: c) Memory

Which of the following is not a function of antibodies?

a) Neutralization of pathogens
b) Phagocytosis of pathogens
c) Opsonization to promote antigen phagocytosis
d) Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
Answer: b) Phagocytosis of pathogens

Which cell type is not directly involved in the adaptive immune response?
a) B cells
b) T cells
c) Macrophages
d) Neutrophils
Answer: d) Neutrophils

What is the main function of neutrophils?

a) Secretion of antibodies
b) Direct killing of pathogens
c) Presentation of antigens
d) Production of memory cells
Answer: b) Direct killing of pathogens

How does HIV impact the immune system?

a) It infects and destroys neutrophils.
b) It infects and destroys Helper T cells (CD4+).
c) It prevents the maturation of B cells in the bone marrow.
d) It inhibits the function of macrophages.
Answer: b) It infects and destroys Helper T cells (CD4+)

Which type of immunoglobulin is involved in allergic reactions?

a) IgA
b) IgD
c) IgE
d) IgM
Answer: c) IgE

Which immune cell is primarily responsible for the destruction of infected cells in viral infections?
a) B cells
b) Neutrophils
c) Cytotoxic T cells
d) Eosinophils
Answer: c) Cytotoxic T cells
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of chronic infections?
a) Immediate resolution
b) Requirement for innate immunity only
c) Necessity for adaptive immunity with memory
d) Involvement of neutrophils only
Answer: c) Necessity for adaptive immunity with memory

Innate immunity is primarily based on:

a) Memory response
b) Antigen specificity
c) Pattern recognition
d) Antibody production
Answer: c) Pattern recognition

Which organ is involved in the maturation of T cells?

a) Bone marrow
b) Liver
c) Thymus
d) Spleen
Answer: c) Thymus

What is the primary function of eosinophils?

a) Killing bacteria
b) Killing parasites
c) Antibody production
d) Antigen presentation
Answer: b) Killing parasites

Which of the following is a key feature of the secondary lymphoid organs?

a) Generation of lymphocytes
b) Maturation of lymphocytes
c) Site of antigen encounter and lymphocyte activation
d) Production of red blood cells
Answer: c) Site of antigen encounter and lymphocyte activation

What is the primary role of dendritic cells in the immune system?

a) Producing antibodies
b) Killing pathogens
c) Antigen presentation
d) Phagocytosis
Answer: c) Antigen presentation

Which type of immunoglobulin is most prevalent in blood?

a) IgA
b) IgD
c) IgE
d) IgG
Answer: d) IgG

What process allows for the generation of a diverse array of antibodies?

a) Phagocytosis
b) Antibody secretion
c) Somatic recombination
d) Clonal expansion
Answer: c) Somatic recombination

The primary function of Helper T cells (CD4+) in the immune response is to:
a) Directly kill pathogens
b) Secrete antibodies
c) Coordinate immune responses
d) Present antigens
Answer: c) Coordinate immune responses

Which of the following cytokines is primarily involved in the activation of macrophages?

a) Interferon-gamma
b) Interleukin-2
c) Tumor Necrosis Factor
d) Interleukin-10
Answer: a) Interferon-gamma

Which MHC class presents antigens to CD8+ T cells?

a) MHC Class I
b) MHC Class II
c) MHC Class III
d) MHC Class IV
Answer: a) MHC Class I

The primary role of dendritic cells in the immune system is:

a) Antibody production
b) Direct pathogen destruction
c) Antigen presentation
d) Phagocytosis
Answer: c) Antigen presentation

Which cell type is a part of innate immunity and acts as a first line of defense against parasites?
a) Neutrophils
b) Eosinophils
c) Basophils
d) Macrophages
Answer: b) Eosinophils

What is the primary role of natural killer (NK) cells in the immune system?
a) Presenting antigens to T cells
b) Producing antibodies
c) Killing virus-infected and tumor cells
d) Activating B cells
Answer: c) Killing virus-infected and tumor cells

In the immune system, which cells are responsible for producing histamine during allergic
reactions?
a) Mast cells
b) T cells
c) B cells
d) Macrophages
Answer: a) Mast cells

Which immunoglobulin is primarily involved in mucosal immunity?

a) IgG
b) IgM
c) IgA
d) IgE
Answer: c) IgA

In the context of immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy is primarily used to treat:

a) Bacterial infections
b) Viral infections
c) Cancers
d) Autoimmune diseases
Answer: c) Cancers

Which part of the antibody molecule varies to allow for the recognition of different antigens?
a) Fc region
b) Constant region
c) Variable region
d) Hinge region
Answer: c) Variable region

The process by which immune cells undergo programmed cell death after serving their function is
called:
a) Necrosis
b) Apoptosis
c) Proliferation
d) Differentiation
Answer: b) Apoptosis

What happens during the 'negative selection' phase of T-cell maturation?

a) T cells are trained to recognize foreign antigens.
b) T cells are tested for self-reactivity and potentially harmful cells are eliminated.
c) T cells proliferate to increase their numbers.
d) T cells differentiate into either helper or cytotoxic cells.
Answer: b) T cells are tested for self-reactivity and potentially harmful cells are eliminated.

Which of the following autoimmune diseases is characterized by the destruction of the insulin-
producing cells in the pancreas?
a) Multiple sclerosis
b) Rheumatoid arthritis
c) Type 1 diabetes
d) Lupus
Answer: c) Type 1 diabetes

What is the primary consequence of a deficiency in MHC Class II molecules?

a) Increased susceptibility to viral infections
b) Impaired development of B cells
c) Reduced ability of T cells to recognize pathogens
d) Impaired activation of helper T cells
Answer: d) Impaired activation of helper T cells

Which molecule is crucial for the activation of naïve T cells?

a) Interleukin-2
b) Interferon-gamma
c) Tumor Necrosis Factor
d) Interleukin-10
Answer: a) Interleukin-2

The process by which antigens are ingested and presented by MHC molecules is known as:
a) Phagocytosis
b) Antigen processing
c) Antibody-mediated immunity
d) Cellular immunity
Answer: b) Antigen processing

Which of the following is a common method used in immunotherapy for cancer treatment?
a) Antibiotic therapy
b) Radiation therapy
c) Monoclonal antibody therapy
d) Antiviral therapy
Answer: c) Monoclonal antibody therapy
Fill-in-the-Blank
___________ immunity is the body's first line of defense and is not specific to any one pathogen.
Answer: Innate

B-cells mature in the _________, whereas T-cells mature in the _________.

Answer: Bone marrow, Thymus

_________ are responsible for the neutralization of pathogens and preventing them from binding
to host cells.
Answer: Antibodies

The process of ________ is crucial for generating diversity in antibodies.

Answer: V(D)J recombination

In the context of immune system bioengineering, _________ are used for targeted cancer
therapy.
Answer: Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs)

The ability of the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self entities is termed as
________ recognition.
Answer: Self/nonself

__________ is a process where T cells and B cells become capable of responding to a specific
antigen.
Answer: Clonal selection

The ________ is the primary lymphoid organ where T cells mature.

Answer: Thymus

Innate immunity relies on a fixed repertoire of ________ to identify pathogens.

Answer: receptors

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a function of certain ________ in the

immune system.
Answer: antibodies

The _________ is the site of maturation for B cells.

Answer: Bone marrow

___________ are a group of immune cells that release granules to damage pathogens.
Answer: Granulocytes
The ability of the immune system to remember past encounters with pathogens is known as
_________.
Answer: Memory

T cells express membrane-bound _______ to bind to specific antigens.

Answer: T cell receptors (TCRs)

In the context of adaptive immunity, _________ is a measure of the strength of an antibody's

binding to its antigen.
Answer: Antibody affinity

The _________ region of an antibody determines its class (e.g., IgM, IgG).
Answer: heavy-chain isotype

Cells present intracellular peptides to T cells via _________ proteins.

Answer: MHC

_________ are the only cells involved in adaptive immunity.

Answer: Lymphocytes

During an immune response, _________ cells can directly kill target cells.
Answer: Cytotoxic T (CD8+)

The process of _________ ensures the specificity of adaptive immunity.

Answer: antigen-specific binding

The _________ is the site of maturation for B cells.

Answer: Bone marrow

___________ are a group of immune cells that release granules to damage pathogens.
Answer: Granulocytes

The ability of the immune system to remember past encounters with pathogens is known as
_________.
Answer: Memory

T cells express membrane-bound _______ to bind to specific antigens.

Answer: T cell receptors (TCRs)

In the context of adaptive immunity, _________ is a measure of the strength of an antibody's

binding to its antigen.
Answer: Antibody affinity

The _________ system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste,
and other unwanted materials.
Answer: lymphatic

___________ immunity is the body's specific defense system against pathogens.

Answer: Adaptive

In the immune system, _________ are responsible for antibody production.

Answer: B cells

_________ are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in fighting off infections.
Answer: Leukocytes

The _________ are small, bean-shaped structures that act as filters for harmful substances.
Answer: Lymph nodes

___________ is the process by which T cells and B cells are selected for their ability to recognize
foreign antigens and not self-antigens.
Answer: Clonal selection

In the immune system, the _________ is the organ where B cells mature.
Answer: Bone marrow

_________ are immune cells that play a key role in the allergic response and in fighting parasitic
infections.
Answer: Eosinophils

_________ is a type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign
substances, and pathogens.
Answer: Macrophage

In the immune response, _________ cells directly kill infected or cancerous cells.
Answer: Cytotoxic T

The _________ is a lymphoid organ that filters blood and is involved in immune responses to
blood-borne pathogens.
Answer: Spleen

In adaptive immunity, _________ cells are responsible for directly attacking and destroying virus-
infected cells.
Answer: Cytotoxic T

_________ immunity is the first line of defense and includes barriers like skin and mucous
membranes.
Answer: Innate
The process by which a B cell changes the class of antibody it produces without altering the
antigen specificity is known as _________.
Answer: Class switching

_________ are signaling proteins released by cells in response to the presence of pathogens,
particularly viruses.
Answer: Interferons

In the immune system, _________ is the process of engulfing and digesting pathogens and
debris.
Answer: Phagocytosis

_________ cells in the immune system can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including
dendritic cells and macrophages.
Answer: Monocytes

The _________ is a primary lymphoid organ where hematopoiesis, or blood cell production,
occurs.
Answer: Bone marrow

In the context of immunity, _________ are foreign substances or organisms that induce an
immune response.
Answer: Antigens

The diversity of antibodies and T-cell receptors is greatly increased by the process of _________,
which involves rearranging gene segments.
Answer: Somatic recombination

__________ is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells,
leading to various autoimmune diseases.
Answer: Autoimmunity

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system produces _________ against the body's own
tissues.
Answer: antibodies

_________ is the process where T cells undergo maturation and selection in the thymus.
Answer: Thymic education

The inability of the immune system to react to self-antigens is known as ________ tolerance.
Answer: self

_________ are proteins that help regulate the immune response by communicating between
cells.
Answer: Cytokines

The _________ is an example of an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the
joints.
Answer: Rheumatoid arthritis
Short Answer Questions

What is the role of macrophages in the immune response?

Answer: Macrophages are involved in phagocytosis, engulfing and digesting foreign antigens.

How do B cells and T cells differ in their roles in the immune system?
Answer: B cells are primarily involved in humoral immunity, producing antibodies that target
extracellular pathogens, whereas T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, targeting
intracellular pathogens.

What is the significance of V(D)J recombination in the immune system?

Answer: V(D)J recombination is crucial for generating the diversity of antibodies and T cell
receptors, allowing the immune system to recognize a vast array of antigens.

Describe the role of monocytes in the immune system.

Answer: Monocytes circulate in the blood and, upon entering tissues, mature into macrophages,
which are involved in phagocytosis of foreign antigens.

What is the difference between innate and adaptive immunity in terms of response time and
specificity?
Answer: Innate immunity provides a rapid, non-specific response, while adaptive immunity offers
a slower, highly specific response with memory capabilities.

How do eosinophils contribute to the immune response?

Answer: Eosinophils are involved in combating parasites and play a role in allergic responses by
releasing granules that damage parasites.

What is the significance of gene rearrangement in adaptive immunity?

Answer: Gene rearrangement contributes to the diversity of lymphocyte receptors, allowing the
immune system to recognize a wide range of antigens.

Explain the concept of 'self/nonself recognition' in the immune system.

Answer: Self/nonself recognition is the ability of the immune system to distinguish between the
body's own cells and foreign cells or substances, preventing autoimmune reactions.

What is the primary role of neutrophils in the immune system?

Answer: Neutrophils act as phagocytes, engulfing and destroying pathogens, especially bacteria.
Explain the concept of 'memory' in adaptive immunity.
Answer: Memory in adaptive immunity refers to the immune system's ability to remember past
pathogens and respond more rapidly and effectively upon re-exposure.

How do basophils contribute to the immune response?

Answer: Basophils release granules containing histamine and other mediators, playing a key role
in allergic reactions and fighting parasitic infections.

Describe the process and significance of negative selection in T cell maturation.

Answer: Negative selection eliminates T cells that strongly bind to self-antigens, preventing
autoimmune diseases.

What is the primary function of Helper T cells (CD4+) in the immune system?
Answer: Helper T cells (CD4+) coordinate the immune response by secreting cytokines that
activate other immune cells.

How does the structure of an antibody contribute to its function?

Answer: The structure of an antibody, with variable regions for antigen binding and a constant
region for determining the class, allows it to specifically bind to antigens and facilitate immune
responses.

Explain how innate and adaptive immunity interact in the immune response.
Answer: Innate immunity provides the initial response to pathogens and informs the adaptive
immune system, which provides a more specific and long-lasting response.

Describe the role of macrophages in both innate and adaptive immunity.

Answer: Macrophages act as phagocytes in innate immunity and as antigen-presenting cells in
adaptive immunity, linking the two systems.

What is the significance of antibody diversity in the immune system?

Answer: Antibody diversity allows the immune system to recognize and respond to a vast array of
different antigens.

Explain the concept of 'antigen-presenting cells' and their role in the immune system.
Answer: Antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, process and present
antigens to T cells, crucial for initiating the adaptive immune response.

What is the primary role of macrophages in immune response?

Answer: Macrophages engulf and digest pathogens and debris and also present antigens to T
cells.

Explain the role of the thymus in the immune system.

Answer: The thymus is where T cells mature and undergo selection processes to ensure they can
respond to foreign antigens and not self-antigens.
How do cytokines function in the immune system?
Answer: Cytokines are signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation,
and hematopoiesis.

Describe the primary function of B lymphocytes.

Answer: B lymphocytes are responsible for producing antibodies that bind to specific antigens to
neutralize or mark them for destruction.

What is the importance of the spleen in the immune system?

Answer: The spleen filters blood, removes old and damaged red blood cells, and plays a role in
both innate and adaptive immunity.

How do innate and adaptive immunity differ in their activation mechanisms?

Answer: Innate immunity is activated by pattern recognition receptors that recognize common
pathogen features, while adaptive immunity is activated by specific antigen recognition.

Explain the role of memory cells in the immune system.

Answer: Memory cells are long-lived cells that remember past pathogen exposures, enabling a
faster and stronger response upon subsequent exposures.

What is the significance of antigen presentation in the immune response?

Answer: Antigen presentation is crucial for activating T cells, which is necessary for initiating
specific immune responses in adaptive immunity.

Describe the role of dendritic cells in initiating the immune response.

Answer: Dendritic cells capture antigens, migrate to lymphoid organs, and present them to T
cells, thus linking innate and adaptive immunity.

How does the immune system distinguish between self and non-self?
Answer: The immune system uses receptors and selection processes to distinguish self from non-
self, eliminating cells that react strongly to self-antigens.

Explain the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in the immune response.
Answer: MHC molecules are critical for immune response as they present peptide fragments
from pathogens to T cells. MHC Class I molecules present to CD8+ T cells, initiating cytotoxic
responses, while MHC Class II molecules present to CD4+ T cells, leading to helper T cell
activation and subsequent immune responses.

Explain the principle of monoclonal antibody therapy in cancer treatment.

Answer: Monoclonal antibody therapy involves using antibodies that are specifically designed to
recognize and bind to certain proteins on cancer cells. This binding can directly inhibit cancer cell
growth or mark the cells for destruction by other parts of the immune system.
How does the body establish self-tolerance in the immune system?
Answer: The body establishes self-tolerance through mechanisms like negative selection in the
thymus, where T cells that react strongly to self-antigens are eliminated, and through regulatory
T cells that suppress immune responses against self-antigens.

What is the role of interleukin-2 in the immune system?

Answer: Interleukin-2 is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the growth, proliferation, and
differentiation of T cells, especially after their activation, helping to amplify the immune
response.

Describe how antigen processing and presentation work in the context of adaptive immunity.
Answer: Antigen processing involves the breakdown of pathogen-derived proteins into peptide
fragments, which are then loaded onto MHC molecules. These MHC-peptide complexes are
presented on the cell surface, where they can be recognized by T cells, leading to the activation
of specific immune responses.

What are the implications of a deficiency in MHC Class II molecules?

Answer: A deficiency in MHC Class II molecules impairs the immune system's ability to present
antigenic peptides to helper T cells (CD4+), leading to reduced activation of these cells and a
subsequent decrease in the overall immune response, particularly affecting the activation of B
cells and other immune cells.