SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS #
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What is active immunity?
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What are antigens?
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Which statement correctly describes antibodies?
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Why can a specific antibody only bind to one type of antigen?
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How can active immunity be gained?
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What happens first during vaccination?
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Which cells are responsible for producing antibodies during vaccination?
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What is the main advantage of memory cells produced during vaccination?
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How does vaccination help control the spread of transmissible diseases?
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What is passive immunity?
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How does a baby receive passive immunity from its mother?
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Why is breast-feeding important for infant immunity?
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What is the main difference between active and passive immunity?
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How does HIV affect the immune system?
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Why do people with HIV become more vulnerable to other infections?
SECTION B: WRITTEN RESPONSE QUESTIONS #
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Explain what happens when a pathogen enters the body for the first time.
- State what antigens are and where they are found. [2 marks]
- Describe how the immune system responds to these antigens. [3 marks]
- Explain why the immune response takes several days during a first infection. [2 marks]
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A student says: “Antibodies and antigens are the same thing.”
- Explain why this statement is incorrect. [3 marks]
- Describe how antibodies and antigens work together in the immune response. [3 marks]
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The diagram shows what happens during vaccination.

- Explain why weakened pathogens are used in vaccines instead of strong, active pathogens. [2 marks]
- Describe the role of lymphocytes in vaccination. [2 marks]
- Explain how memory cells provide long-term immunity. [3 marks]
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Complete the table comparing active and passive immunity.
Feature Active Immunity Passive Immunity How antibodies are obtained _____________ _____________ Examples of how immunity is gained _____________ _____________ Are memory cells produced? _____________ _____________ How long does immunity last? _____________ _____________ -
A mother asks why she should breast-feed her newborn baby.
- Explain what type of immunity breast milk provides to the baby. [1 mark]
- Describe how this immunity helps protect the baby. [2 marks]
- Explain why this type of immunity is only temporary. [2 marks]
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A community has a measles outbreak. Some children are vaccinated against measles while others are not.
- Explain why vaccinated children are less likely to catch measles. [3 marks]
- Describe how vaccination of many people in the community helps protect those who cannot be vaccinated. [3 marks]
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The graph shows antibody levels in the blood after infection and re-infection with the same pathogen.

- Describe the difference in antibody production between the first and second infection. [2 marks]
- Explain why the second response is faster and stronger. [3 marks]
- State what type of immunity this represents. [1 mark]
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HIV is a virus that affects the immune system.
- Describe how HIV weakens the immune system. [3 marks]
- Explain why people with HIV are more likely to die from other infections rather than from HIV itself. [3 marks]
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A scientist is developing a new vaccine for a disease.
- State two things that must be included in the vaccine. [2 marks]
- Explain why the vaccine must contain antigens from the specific pathogen. [2 marks]
- Describe what should happen in the body after the vaccine is given. [3 marks]
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Two students are discussing immunity. Student A says: “Once you have antibodies for a disease, you can never catch that disease again.” Student B says: “That’s not always true.”
- Explain when Student A would be correct. [2 marks]
- Explain when Student B would be correct. [2 marks]
- Use your knowledge of memory cells to support both answers. [3 marks]
