Free Immunity questions for AS Level Biology (9700), part of Transport & disease. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Immunity worksheet →All Transport & disease questionsMonoclonal antibodies are used in diagnosis and treatment.
1 They are made by T-lymphocytes.
2 They are produced by hybridoma cells formed by fusing B-lymphocytes with cancer cells.
3 They can be used in pregnancy tests.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
Which term is described by this statement?
“A molecule that stimulates an immune response.”
Answer: D
Phagocytes are part of the non-specific immune response.
1 Phagocytes are a type of lymphocyte.
2 Lysosomes fuse with phagocytic vacuoles.
3 Phagocytes produce antibodies.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: D
Describe the roles of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in the primary immune response to a bacterial infection.
Explain why a vaccine against one strain of influenza may not protect against a new strain.
Explain why antibiotic resistance spreads rapidly in bacterial populations.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | antigen presentation by macrophages; clonal selection of specific T-helper and B cells; T-helper cells release cytokines; B cells divide by mitosis into plasma cells secreting antibodies; memory cells formed; T-killer cells destroy infected cells antigen-presenting cells B1 clonal selection of specific lymphocytes B1 clonal expansion by mitosis B1 T-helper cytokines stimulate B cells B1 plasma cells secrete antibodies B1 memory cells B1 | 6 |
| (b) | antigenic variation: mutation changes antigens, memory cells/antibodies not complementary new strain has different antigens (antigenic variation/drift) B1 existing antibodies/memory cells not complementary B1 | 2 |
| (c) | random mutation gives resistance; selection pressure from antibiotic; resistant bacteria survive and reproduce; plasmids transferred by conjugation (horizontal transmission) mutation B1 selection by antibiotic use B1 horizontal gene transfer on plasmids B1 | 3 |
The primary and secondary immune responses differ.
Explain why the secondary response is faster and larger.
Describe the structure of an antibody.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | memory cells; rapid clonal expansion memory cells remain after the primary response B1 they recognise the antigen quickly B1 rapid clonal expansion produces more antibody faster B1 | 3 |
| (b) | four polypeptide chains; variable region binding site four polypeptide chains (two heavy, two light) held by disulfide bonds B1 variable regions form antigen-binding sites B1 | 2 |
This question is about infectious diseases and immunity.
State the causative agent and method of transmission of tuberculosis and of malaria.
Describe the roles of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in the primary immune response.
Explain how antibiotic resistance spreads in a bacterial population, including horizontal transmission.
Explain how monoclonal antibodies can be used in diagnosis.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | TB: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, airborne droplets; malaria: Plasmodium, female Anopheles mosquito TB: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (or M. bovis) B1 airborne droplets (or undercooked meat / unpasteurised milk) B1 malaria: Plasmodium B1 transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito (vector) B1 | 4 |
| (b) | B: clonal selection, plasma cells secrete antibodies, memory B cells; T helper secrete cytokines stimulating B; T killer destroy infected cells Any 4 of: antigen-presenting cells; specific B cells are selected and divide (clonal expansion); plasma cells secrete antibodies, memory cells remain; T helper cells release cytokines that stimulate B and T killer cells; T killer cells destroy infected cells B4 | 4 |
| (c) | mutation; selection pressure from antibiotic; resistant survive, reproduce; plasmids transferred by conjugation random mutation gives a resistance gene B1 antibiotic kills susceptible bacteria (selection pressure) B1 resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, passing on the allele (vertical) B1 resistance genes on plasmids can pass between bacteria by conjugation (horizontal) B1 | 4 |
| (d) | specific to one antigen; attach marker to detect presence monoclonal antibodies are specific to one antigen B1 with a fluorescent / coloured marker attached they bind and reveal the antigen (e.g. pregnancy test) B1 | 2 |
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Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in