A-LevelBiologyImmunity9700/12 · May/June 2010 · Q351 Mark
In an investigation into the immune response, a volunteer was exposed to two different antigens, X and Y. The relative antibody concentration in the blood was measured at regular intervals over 60 days. The graph shows the time when the volunteer was exposed to each antigen and the antibody concentration against time for antigens X and Y. [Figure 35.1] What is the explanation for the results displayed on the graph?
This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.
Aprimary and secondary immune response against antigen X occurred, with the memory B-lymphocytes inhibiting the secondary immune response against antigen Y.
Bprimary immune response to antigen Y occurred and memory B-lymphocytes specific to antigen Y enhanced the secondary immune response to antigen X.
CMemory B-lymphocytes specific to antigen X enabled a secondary immune response to occur; different B-lymphocytes were activated for a primary immune response for antigen Y.
DPlasma cells remaining from the first exposure to antigen X undergo rapid clonal selection to produce high levels of antibody against antigen X and lower levels of antibody against antigen Y.
✓ Correct answer
C: Memory B-lymphocytes specific to antigen X enabled a secondary immune response to occur; different B-lymphocytes were activated for a primary immune response for antigen Y.
Practise more questions on this topic
Oracle Prep sorts past-paper questions by topic, so you can drill Immunity and see which topics are most likely to come up next.
Sign up free →