Biology Answer Scheme SB025

11: IMMUNITY

CHAPTER 11 IMMUNITY

11.2 ANTIBODY

1. Explain the functions of the different classes of antibodies. [10 marks]

(PSPM 2012/2013)
i. IgA
ii. Prevents bacteria and viruses from attaching to mucus membranes// Act as
mucosal antibody//passive immunity on nursing infants// acts as first line
of defence.
iii. IgD
iv. Acts as receptor for antigen on B cells surface// involves in activation on
lymphocyte B cells// involves lymphocyte proliferation & differentiation
into memory B cells & plasma cells.
v. IgE
vi. Involve in hypersensitive reaction that produces allergies// trigger release
of histamine from mast cells and basophils//involved in allergic reaction.
vii. IgG
viii. Acts as markers that stimulate phagocytosis by macrophages// promotes
phagocytosis// protects against bacteria/ viruses/ toxin// involved in
secondary immune response.
ix. IgM
x. Acts as receptors on the lymphocytes surface// bind many antigen at once//
effective in clumping viruses/ bacteria//involved in primary/ first immune.

11.3 LYMPHOCYTE DEVELOPMENT

2. FIGURE 1 represents the lymphoid system in human.

FIGURE 1

(a) Name the organs labelled X, Y and Z.

[3 marks]
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11: IMMUNITY

X : Tonsils/Adenoid/Lymph nodes
Y : Thymus (gland)
Z : Spleen

(b) Identify the type of lymphocytes mature in Y.

[1 mark]
T lymphocytes/ T cell

(c) Describe briefly THREE functions of lymphatic system.

[3 marks]
● Transport interstitial fluid/lymph fluid back into the
bloodstream
● Assist fat absorption// transport fat/lipid from lacteal in
small intestine
● Protect body from invading organism/pathogen
(PSPM 2015/2016)

3. Explain the roles of lymphoid organs in immunity system. [10 marks]

i. Bone marrow
ii. Site for development of lymphocytes
iii. Maturation of B lymphocyte/cell
iv. Thymus
v. Maturation of T lymphocyte/cell
vi. Lymph node
vii. Act as barrier to infection by filtering out pathogen
viii. Destroying toxin pathogen/bacteria/virus
ix. Spleen
x. Site for filtering worn out red blood cells
xi. Fight infection from foreign bodies
xii. Tonsil
xiii. To trap bacteria/viruses that being inhaled// prevent throat and lung
infection
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11: IMMUNITY

11.4 DEVELOPMENT OF ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY

4. FIGURE 2 show humoral response during immunity formation.

FIGURE 2

(a) What is meant by antigen? [1 mark]

Foreign substances that trigger / induces specific immune response
(formation / production of antibodies).

(b) What are P, Q, R and S in FIGURE 2. [4 marks]

P : Lymphocyte B
Q : Plasma cells
R : Antibodies
S : Memory B cells

(c ) What is the effect of antigen action on P ? [2 marks]

● Stimulate proliferation of B cells
● Stimulate formation of antibody.

(d) (i) How does helper T cell stimulate P ?

By releasing interleukin-2 / IL-2

(ii) What is the function of helper T cell besides stimulating P? [2 marks]

● Stimulate cytotoxic T cells
● to become active killer cells

(e) State the effect of S on immunity system. [1 mark]

Can respond rapidly when subsequently exposed to the same antigen.

(PSPM 2004/2005)
 Biology Answer Scheme SB025
11: IMMUNITY

5. FIGURE 3 shows an immune response.

FIGURE 3

(a) State the type of this immune response. [1 mark]

Humoral immune response

(b) What is S? [1 mark]

Antigen

(c) After receiving information from the macrophage, T cell will secrete U.
What is U and state its function. [3 marks]
U : Interleukin-2 / IL-2
Function : Stimulate B cells to proliferate and differentiate form
large number of plasma cells and small number of
memory B cells.

(d) What are cells P and Q? [2 marks]

Cell P : Memory B cells
Cell Q : Plasma cells
(e ) State TWO mechanisms of actions of R. [2 marks]
● Neutralisation
● Activation of complement system and pore formation
● Opsonisation

(f) HIV is the virus that attacks the immune system. State the cell infected by
HIV. [1 mark]
Helper T cells
(PSPM 2005/2006)
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11: IMMUNITY

6. FIGURE 4 shows part of the mechanism of an immune response.

Releases
antigen Macrophage Protein Cell C
X
Releases

Interleukin- 2

Cell D

Activates
Cell F

Multiplies Cell
E
Plasma Antibody
cell
FIGURE 4

(a) Name the cells labelled C, D, E, and F. [4 marks]

C : Helper T cell / TH cell
D : Cytotoxic T cell / Tc cell
E : B cell
F : Memory B cell

(b) What is protein X? State its function. [2 marks]

Protein X : Interleukin 1 / IL-1
Function : To activate helper T cell

(c) State the location where cell C matures. [1 mark]

Thymus gland

(d) State the mechanism of action of cell D. [2 marks]

Cell D / cytotoxic T cell binds / touch to the infected cell and destroys /
kills it.

(e) Which cell does HIV attack? [1 mark]

Helper T cell

(PSPM 2008/2009)
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11: IMMUNITY

7. FIGURE 5 shows a partial of events in immune response.

FIGURE 5

(a) Name the type of immune response in FIGURE 5. [1 mark]

Humoral immune response

(b) Identify cells Q and R. [2 marks]

Q: Helper T cell
R: B cell / B lymphocyte
(c) What is the characteristic of X for antigen binding to occur? [1 mark]
Specific / complementary to the antigen

(d) Explain how cell Q activates cell R. [2 marks]

Cell Q binds to antigen on MHC / MHC-antigen complex (in B cell)
Cell Q secretes interleukin-2

(e) What is the effect of binding of antigen to cell R? [1 mark]

Cell R divides by mitosis, proliferates and cell R differentiates into plasma
cell and memory B cell.
(PSPM 2018/2019)
 Biology Answer Scheme SB025
11: IMMUNITY

8. FIGURE 6 shows the antibody concentration in human after exposure to antigen A

and antigen B.

FIGURE 6

(a) What is meant by antibody and antigen? [2 marks]

Antibody: A type of protein produced by lymphocyte as a reaction /
response to the presence of antigen // antigen binding protein

Antigen: Foreign substances that trigger / induces specific immune

response (formation / production of antibodies).

(b) State the level of development of immune response at P and Q. [2 marks]

P: Secondary immune response to antigen A
Q: Primary immune response to antigen B
(c) State TWO advantages of the antibodies characteristics produced at P
compare to Q. [2 marks]
● Greater affinity towards antigen
● Faster response Any TWO answers
● Long lasting
● Concentration is higher

(d) State the type of cell involved in the above immune response and the specific
location where it is produced. [4 marks]
Name of cell : T cells / Helper T cell
Location of production : Bone marrow

Name of cell : B cell

Location of production : Bone marrow // lymph node

(PSPM 2006/2007)
 Biology Answer Scheme SB025
11: IMMUNITY

9. FIGURE 7 shows the immune responses after vaccination.

FIGURE 7
(a) Define immunity. [1 mark]
Ability of organism to resist illness / infections caused by pathogens or
foreign substances

(b) What type of immunity is shown in FIGURE 7 above? [1 mark]

Artificial active immunity

(c) (i) What is A and B? [2 marks]

A: Primary immune response
B: Secondary immune response

(ii) Give TWO differences between A and B. [2 marks]

● The rate of response of the primary immune response are
slower compared to secondary immune response // The rate of
response of the secondary immune response are faster
compared to primary immune response.

● The magnitude of response / concentration of antibody of the

primary immune response are smaller / lower compared to
secondary immune response // The magnitude of response /
concentration of antibody of the secondary immune response
are greater / higher compared to primary immune response.

● The primary immune response has short-term effect while the

secondary immune response has long-term effect // The primary
immune response produce short-lived antibody while the
secondary immune response produces long-lived antibody.
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11: IMMUNITY

(d) Name the class of antibody represented by X and Y. [2 marks]

X: Immunoglobulin G / IgG
Y: Immunoglobulin M / IgM

(e) What is the difference between antigen and antibody? [2 marks]

Antigen is the trigger for immune response while antibody is the product
of the immune response.
(PSPM 2013/2014)

(f) Differentiate between primary and secondary immune responses in the table
below. [3 marks]

Properties Primary Immune Secondary Immune

Response Response
Main antibody produce IgM IgG
Memory Produce memory cell Memory cell are active
are inactive/passive
Response rate Slow Fast/immediate
(PSPM 2015/2016)

10. FIGURE 8 show the development of immunity against the same pathogen.

FIGURE 8

(a) Name the cell that produces antibody. [1 mark]

Plasma (B) cell
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11: IMMUNITY

(b) Based on FIGURE 8, why is antibody concentration higher after the second
exposure? [2 marks]
- Memory B cell recognize the same antigen/ pathogen faster
- Memory B cells proliferate /divide and differentiate rapidly into
plasma cells to produce antibody

(c) Explain how the antigen and antibody interactions activate the complement
system. [3 marks]
- Antibody molecule binds to an antigen on the surface of pathogen /
foreign cell, (forming antigen-antibody complex and activate the
complement system)
- The activated complement system then forms membrane attack
complex
- Pores formed into plasma membrane allowing water and ions to enter
into cell
- Cell swell and lyse
(PSPM 2020/2021)

11. Discuss the functions of different types of cells that occurred in humoral response.
[10 marks]
(PSPM 2012/2013)
i. Plasma cells
ii. Secretes / forms / produces / release antibodies
iii. Memory (B) cells
iv. Initiate production of plasma cells when encounter the same bacteria/
antigen in future infection // secondary immune response
v. Helper T cell/ Helper T4 cell
vi. Activates B cell / Secretes interleukin-2
vii. Macrophage
viii. Acts as antigen-presenting cells / APC / secretes interleukin-1 // ingest /
digest / process / engulf bacteria / pathogen / virus
ix. B cell
x. Produce plasma cell and memory (B) cells
xi. Helper T cell
xii. Stimulates memory B cell upon second exposure of the same antigen
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11: IMMUNITY

12. Describe the sequence of event in cell mediated immunity. [12 marks]
(PSPM 2014/2015)

i. Macrophage, T cells and dendritic cells are involved in cell-mediated

immune response
ii. When virus / pathogen infects body cells, the viral / pathogen proteins is
broken down into antigen fragments.
iii. Infected body cells display foreign antigen-MHC complex
iv. Macrophage engulfs the foreign antigen and displays the antigen
fragments on its surface and become antigen-presenting cell (APC)
v. Helper T cell (TH) receptor binds to APC
vi. Then APC secretes interleukin-1 / IL-1 / cytokine to activate TH cell
vii. Activated TH cells increase in size and divide by mitosis // activated TH
cells proliferate / multiply to form clones and differentiate to produce
memory TH cells
viii. Activated TH cell secretes interleukin-2 / IL-2 / cytokine to activate
cytotoxic T cell (TC cell)
ix. Stimulate proliferation of TC cells
x. TC cell bind with the foreign MHC complex / antigen displayed on the
surface of infected body cell
xi. Activated TC cell secretes perforin / granzymes that stimulate the
destruction / apoptosis of the infected cells
xii. A pore is formed at the cell membrane which cause water and ions flow
into infected cells
xiii. The infected cells lyse
xiv. Then the TC cell detaches itself from target cell and seek out a new target
cell
xv. Cell mediated immune response is also responsible for destruction of
cancer cells.

13. Explain how the lifelong protective immunity of chickenpox is developed following a
primary infection. [10 marks]
(PSPM 2009/2010)
i. First time exposure causes primary immune response.
ii. Lymphocyte will proliferate and differentiate.
iii. Very low concentration of antibodies is present at early stage.
iv. Primary response peak up to two weeks / 3-14 days / 7-14 days after initial
exposure.
v. During this time, selected B cells will differentiate into plasma and memory
cells.
vi. Plasma cells produce antibody.
vii. The antibody produced is mainly IgM.
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viii. The response is short-lived.

ix. When exposed to the same antigen for the second time / secondary
exposure.
x. The memory cells will recognize the same antigen faster.
xi. The B memory cells will proliferate and differentiate rapidly into plasma
cell to produce antibody.
xii. The response is faster // Concentration of antibodies is higher.
xiii. The antibody produced is mainly IgG.
xiv. The antibody tends to have greater affinity for the antigen.
xv. The B memory cell able to recognize antigen for longer period // the
immunity is long lasting.

14. Discuss the immune response involved when you are given a vaccination of BCG at the
age of one year old and a booster shot six months later. [8 marks]
(PSPM 2014/2015)
i. Vaccination is an artificial active immunity
ii. First time exposure / first immunization causes primary immune response.
iii. B lymphocyte / C cells will proliferate and differentiate / are activated.
iv. Produce plasma cells and memory B cells.
v. Plasma cells produce very low concentration of antibodies / IgM
vi. Immunity level is not achieved
vii. When exposed to the same antigen for the second time / secondary exposure
/ during booster shot, memory B cells are activated.
viii. The B memory cells will produce secondary immune response.
ix. The response is greater, faster and prolonged // Response is efficient and
prolonged.

15. Describe how self and non-self-concept is applied in organ transplant. [10 marks]
(PSPM 2010/2011)

i. The ability to distinguish self (substance) from non-self (substance)

depends on the major histocompatibility complex / MHC proteins /
antigens.
ii. If the foreign substance has the same MHC protein, it is recognized as self.
So no immune response is triggered / rejection does not occur.
iii. But each individual carries a unique set of genes which control the synthesis
MHC proteins.
iv. Thus, different individual has different set of MHC proteins
v. MHC acts as cell marker / identity tag.
vi. MHC is located at the plasma membrane of cells.
vii. Organ transplant involves the transfer of organ from one person / donor to
another person / recipient with different MHC proteins.
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viii. The recipient’s immune system / lymphocyte recognizes the transplanted

organ as non-self
ix. And attack it through antibody production by plasma cells.
x. The transplanted organ is rejected by the body.

16. Explain why the kidney from a healthy donor is rejected by the recipient’s body after
organ transplant. [8 marks]
(PSPM 2011/2012)

i. The transplanted kidney is rejected because may be recognized by

recipient’s immune system as non-self.
ii. The ability to distinguish self (substance) from non-self (substance)
depends on the major histocompatibility complex / MHC proteins /
antigens.
iii. MHC acts as cell marker / identity tag located at the plasma membrane of
cells.
iv. If the foreign substance has the different MHC protein, it is recognized as
non-self
v. Which stimulates cell mediated immune response // stimulates /activates
cytotoxic T cell to divide rapidly
vi. Cytotoxic T cell produces perforins and granzyme
vii. Which cause destruction of kidney cell
viii. Leading to the rejection of transplanted kidney

17. Describe neutralization, precipitation and complement fixation in antigen-antibody

interactions. [10 marks]
(PSPM 2017/2018)
i. Neutralization
ii. Antibodies bind to the antigen/toxin
iii. Blocks the antigen from binding to the receptor site (on the host cell
membrane)
iv. The antigen/ toxin will be coated by antibodies
v. Eliminated by phagocytosis process
vi. Precipitation
vii. The cross-linking of soluble antigen
viii. Form insoluble antigen-antibody complexes/precipitate
ix. Eliminated by phagocytosis process
x. Complement fixation
xi. Antibodies combine/bind/attach with antigen (found in the blood)
xii. Activates the complement protein
xiii. Produce pores/lesion in the foreign cell membrane
xiv. That result in cell lysis
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11: IMMUNITY

18. Influenza virus is a virus that infects the respiratory tract cell and causes flu. Explain
how the activated helper T cell stimulate immune response against the infected cells.
(PSPM 2021/2022)
i. Activated helper T cell/ TH cell secretes interleukin-2/IL-2 to activate
cytotoxic T cell/Tc cell
ii. Stimulate proliferation and differentation /clonal selection of activated Tc
cell
iii. Activated Tc cell binds at the (Class I) MHC-antigen complex of the
infected cells
iv. Activated Tc cell secretes perforin and granzyme
v. Perforin forms pores on the infected cell
vi. cause water and ions/extracellular fluid flow into infected cell
vii. and the infected cell lysed/ cytolysis
viii. Granzyme digest proteins in infected cell and stimulate
apoptosis/programmed cell death/cell destruction