Human Immune System

The healthy human immune system responds to pathogens with both specific and nonspecific processes. Which of the following models represents a nonspecific response?

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A 3 month old baby contracts a virus called whooping cough (pertussis) after receiving the first of a sequence of 3 necessary DPT vaccines designed to prevent 3 diseases (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus). The vaccines are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age to allow the body to develop specific immunity against these diseases. After the infant recovered from the disease, the doctor informed the parents that from now on the infant would only need the DT (diphtheria, tetanus) part of the vaccine. Why does the infant only need the DT vaccine?

• The infant had the first of a series of vaccines which caused the disease

• The infant had the pertussis disease and has already produced antibodies against the disease.

• The infant had the first of a series of vaccines which protected him from getting the disease.

• The infant had the pertussis disease and will get diphtheria in the future.

What is the term for a strong response to a harmless antigen in the environment?

• An allergy

• Cell-mediated immunity

• An autoimmune disease

• Inflammatory response

Many times people visit the doctor requesting antibiotics to treat colds and viral infections. How is the doctor justified in offering the patient treatment options that do not include antibiotics for these cases?

• Colds and viruses should be first treated with viral therapies and then when the body begins to recover, antibiotics can be used. Otherwise, the use of antibiotics is not effective at all.

• Side effects from antibiotics are severe when used for colds and viruses. Any use of antibiotics for colds and viruses will only make the patient more ill and ultimately make the patient's recovery time longer.

• Antibiotics can weaken the immune system when used for colds and viruses, whereas other medications are not so hard on the immune system during these types of illnesses.

• If a doctor provides an antibiotic to treat colds and viruses, any bacteria in the patient's body will be killed, but a few will survive. Those few survivors may become resistant to antibiotics needed for real bacterial illnesses.

An immune response that occurs in the human body is shown above. This activity helps to do which of the following?

• Produce antibiotics to control disease

• Provide protection against a specific pathogen

• Provide protection against all types of pathogens

• Eliminate harmful gene alterations

After an initial infection, B-cells recognize the measles virus. How is this helpful in human immune response?

• The B-cells use this recognition to defend the body against other pathogens, such as bacteria.

• The B-cells more quickly recognize and respond to any other virus that invades the body.

• The B-cells produce antibodies more quickly if the measles virus is encountered again.

• The B-cells transfer this recognition to T-cells, which will then devour the viruses.

What is the body's first line (non-specific) of defense against infection by foreign organisms?

• antibodies

• lymph nodes

• white blood cells

• the skin

White blood cells are an important part of the human immune response. Two types of white blood cells, neutrophils and macrophages, act as phagocytes. Phagocytes perform which of the following functions in the human body?

• They produce antibodies.

• They bind to antigens and develop into plasma cells

• They form a barrier against pathogens.

• They engulf and destroy bacteria

Although vaccines cannot be used to treat a person who is sick, they can help to prevent infections. Vaccinations tell the body to create "memory cells", which will function later to create antibodies against certain pathogens. When a person is vaccinated, what are they injected with?

• antibodies to a disease bacterium

• live, inactive viruses

• weakened viruses or antigens from the virus

• blood from a person who has had the disease

Which of the following describes a way that a person's health can be affected by heredity?

• A person with a family history of obesity is more likely to catch a common cold.

• A person with a family history of high blood pressure is more likely to have heart disease.

• A person with a family history of obesity is less likely to enroll in a weight loss plan.

• A person with a family history of cancer is less likely to be screened for cancer.

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