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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- 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- 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- 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 antigen25. White blood cells such as neutrophils and macrophages that engulf and digest bacteria are called
- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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