Free Immunity MCQs with Answers

139 Immunity MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Specific defense mechanisms protect the body through antigen recognition by B and T lymphocytes. The topic covers clonal selection, antibody production, plasma and memory cells, cell-mediated responses, helper and cytotoxic T cells, and the difference between primary and secondary immune responses.

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139 questions · page 2 of 7

  • A. bone marrow
  • B. thymus
  • C. tonsils
  • D. spleen only

Explanation: B cells develop and mature in the bone marrow before settling in lymphoid tissue, while T cells migrate to the thymus to mature.

Correct answer: bone marrow
Fairly easy
  • A. cell mediated immunity
  • B. humoral immunity
  • C. innate immunity only
  • D. autoimmunity

Explanation: Humoral immunity works through soluble antibodies produced by B cells, while cell mediated immunity relies on T cells attacking directly.

Correct answer: humoral immunity
Fairly easy
  • A. phagocytes
  • B. red blood cells
  • C. memory cells
  • D. platelets

Explanation: Memory B and T cells are the biological basis of lasting immunity and of the booster effect.

Correct answer: memory cells
  • A. all antibody molecules are identical
  • B. antigens destroy competing antibodies
  • C. the blood filters out mismatched antibodies
  • D. the shape of its binding site matches a specific epitope of that antigen

Explanation: Antibody arms carry binding sites shaped for one epitope, like a lock for one key, which is why each clone makes only one specificity.

Correct answer: the shape of its binding site matches a specific epitope of that antigen
Easy
  • A. phagocytes
  • B. lymphocytes
  • C. platelets
  • D. mast cells

Explanation: Phagocytes flow around a particle, internalise it in a vacuole and digest it with lysosomal enzymes.

Correct answer: phagocytes
Moderate
  • A. artificially active immunity
  • B. naturally active immunity
  • C. naturally passive immunity
  • D. artificially passive immunity

Explanation: The person's own immune system met the real pathogen and built memory, so the immunity is active and natural.

Correct answer: naturally active immunity
Moderate
  • A. active immunity lasting many years
  • B. a vaccination effect
  • C. immediate but temporary passive immunity
  • D. permanent genetic resistance

Explanation: Borrowed antibodies neutralise the venom at once but are gradually broken down over weeks, giving no memory.

Correct answer: immediate but temporary passive immunity
  • A. constant region of the heavy chains
  • B. Fc tail
  • C. carbohydrate side chains
  • D. variable region at the tips of the two arms

Explanation: The amino acid sequence of the variable region changes from one antibody to another, shaping the binding site, while the constant tail…

Correct answer: variable region at the tips of the two arms
Hard
  • A. reduce the side effects of the first dose
  • B. raise the antibody level and strengthen immunological memory
  • C. replace antibodies that have expired
  • D. treat an existing infection

Explanation: Each booster re-stimulates memory cells, driving antibody concentration higher and memory longer, the classic secondary response curve.

Correct answer: raise the antibody level and strengthen immunological memory
Moderate
  • A. vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, producing inflammation
  • B. clotting of the lymph
  • C. a fall in body temperature
  • D. immediate antibody production

Explanation: Histamine opens the local vessels so plasma and phagocytes reach the injured site, causing the redness, heat and swelling of inflammation.

Correct answer: vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, producing inflammation
  • A. it melts the cell walls of bacteria
  • B. it replaces damaged white blood cells
  • C. it dissolves antigens directly
  • D. the raised temperature speeds defence reactions and slows some pathogens

Explanation: Metabolic and immune reactions run faster at slightly higher temperature while many microbes grow more slowly, so fever is a defence…

Correct answer: the raised temperature speeds defence reactions and slows some pathogens
Fairly easy
  • A. red blood cells
  • B. cells of the thyroid gland
  • C. insulin secreting beta cells of the pancreas
  • D. nerve cells of the spinal cord

Explanation: T cells attack the pancreatic islet beta cells, stopping insulin production and causing lifelong dependence on injections.

Correct answer: insulin secreting beta cells of the pancreas
Hard
  • A. the donor cells are larger than the recipient's
  • B. the recipient's anti A antibodies agglutinate the donor red cells
  • C. both blood types destroy the plasma
  • D. the mixture becomes hypertonic

Explanation: Type B plasma contains anti A antibodies that clump and lyse A cells, blocking capillaries.

Correct answer: the recipient's anti A antibodies agglutinate the donor red cells
Moderate
  • A. neither anti A nor anti B antibodies
  • B. both anti A and anti B antibodies
  • C. only anti A antibodies
  • D. no red cell antigens

Explanation: With A and B antigens on their own cells, AB individuals make no antibodies against either, so they can receive cells of any group.

Correct answer: neither anti A nor anti B antibodies
Moderate
  • A. the bursting of white blood cells
  • B. the formation of lymph
  • C. a rise in platelet count
  • D. the clumping of red blood cells when antibodies bind their antigens

Explanation: Cross linking by antibodies ties red cells into visible clumps, the reaction used to type blood groups.

Correct answer: the clumping of red blood cells when antibodies bind their antigens
Very hard
  • A. IgG
  • B. IgA
  • C. IgM
  • D. IgE

Explanation: IgM is a pentamer, the first antibody deployed in a primary response, while IgG dominates later and crosses the placenta.

Correct answer: IgM
Moderate
  • A. B lymphocytes
  • B. T lymphocytes
  • C. monocytes
  • D. eosinophils

Explanation: When a B cell meets its antigen and receives helper T cell signals, it differentiates into antibody secreting plasma cells and memory…

Correct answer: B lymphocytes
  • A. hormones on the organ
  • B. self markers, the MHC proteins, on the donor's cells
  • C. digestive enzymes
  • D. phospholipids of the membranes

Explanation: Every person's MHC proteins are unique identity tags, and cytotoxic T cells attack any tissue carrying unfamiliar ones.

Correct answer: self markers, the MHC proteins, on the donor's cells
Moderate
  • A. stimulate antibody production
  • B. raise the white blood cell count
  • C. suppress the immune response
  • D. dissolve the antigens of the organ

Explanation: Immunosuppressants dampen T cell activation so the graft is tolerated, at the cost of greater susceptibility to infection.

Correct answer: suppress the immune response
Moderate
  • A. IgG
  • B. IgM
  • C. IgA
  • D. IgE

Explanation: IgE attaches to mast cells, and when allergen cross links it, histamine is released, producing sneezing, itching and swelling.

Correct answer: IgE