AQA A-Level Biology: Cell Immunity Exam
Name: ___________________________
Score: ________/60
Grade: ___________________________
Instructions:
1. Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
2. Write clearly and concisely.
3. Show all working for calculation-based questions.
4. Marks are indicated for each question. Total: 60 marks.
Exam Questions
1. Define the term 'antigen' and explain its role in the immune response. (3 marks)
2. Describe the process of phagocytosis and explain its importance in the immune system. (5 marks)
3. Compare and contrast the roles of T-helper cells and cytotoxic T-cells in the immune response. (6
marks)
4. Explain the difference between the primary and secondary immune responses. (4 marks)
5. Vaccination is an important tool in preventing infectious diseases.
a) Explain how a vaccine leads to the production of memory cells. (4 marks)
b) Why do some vaccines require booster doses? (2 marks)
6. Outline the steps involved in the production of monoclonal antibodies and describe one use of
monoclonal antibodies in medicine. (6 marks)
7. What is herd immunity, and why is it important in controlling the spread of infectious diseases? (4
marks)
8. The HIV virus targets T-helper cells. Explain how this affects the immune system and leads to
AIDS. (6 marks)
9. Antibodies play a critical role in the immune response.
a) Describe the structure of an antibody. (4 marks)
b) Explain the difference between neutralization and opsonization. (4 marks)
10. Discuss the ethical issues surrounding the use of monoclonal antibodies in medical treatments.
(6 marks)
Answers
1. Antigen: A molecule found on the surface of pathogens that triggers an immune response. It is
recognized by immune cells, leading to the production of specific antibodies and activation of
T-cells.
2. Phagocytosis: Phagocytes engulf pathogens by surrounding them with their cell membrane. The
pathogen is enclosed in a vesicle (phagosome), which fuses with a lysosome containing enzymes.
The enzymes digest the pathogen. Importance: Removes harmful pathogens and initiates antigen
presentation.
3. T-helper cells release cytokines to activate B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells, enhancing the immune
response. Cytotoxic T-cells destroy infected cells by releasing perforin and granzymes. Both play
crucial but distinct roles in the immune response.
4. Primary response: The first exposure to a pathogen, slower due to activation and clonal selection.
Secondary response: Faster and stronger due to memory cells produced during the primary
response.
5a. Vaccines introduce antigens into the body, stimulating B-cells to produce antibodies and
memory cells. 5b. Booster doses maintain immunity as memory cells decline over time.
6. Monoclonal antibodies are produced by fusing B-cells with myeloma cells to form hybridomas.
These cells are cloned and produce large quantities of specific antibodies. Use: Cancer therapy
(e.g., targeting HER2 in breast cancer).
7. Herd immunity occurs when enough people are immune, reducing disease spread and protecting
vulnerable individuals. It controls outbreaks by limiting the pathogen's ability to find new hosts.
8. HIV destroys T-helper cells, impairing the activation of B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells. This weakens
the immune response, leading to susceptibility to opportunistic infections (AIDS).
9a. Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins with two heavy and two light chains. They have a variable
region that binds antigens and a constant region for immune cell interactions. 9b. Neutralization
blocks pathogen binding to host cells. Opsonization coats pathogens for easier phagocytosis.
10. Ethical issues: High costs, animal use in production, and potential side effects. However, they
offer life-saving treatments and diagnostic tools.
