Immunity

Describe the principal characteristics of a virus.

May/June 2018

Describe and compare the characteristics of antibodies and antibiotics.

May/June 2019

How does the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affect the immune system?

May/June 2023

Newborn babies already have some passive immunity. What conditions are necessary for passive immunity to be produced?

May/June 2023

Describe the physical digestion that takes place in humans and explain why it matters.

May/June 2023

In 2022, a number of countries made it compulsory for travellers to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. New Zealand’s rule said: ‘You need to have had the last vaccination at least 14 days before you arrive.’ Why did New Zealand insist on a 14-day gap after vaccination before entry was permitted?

May/June 2024

Four sets of people (A, B, C and D) were exposed to a pathogenic virus infection. Scientists recorded the amount of antibodies in their blood both before and after infection. The findings are shown in the graphs. PAL is the Protective Antibody Level - the amount needed to provide protection against the virus. Which group of people would have experienced the effects of the viral infection?

May/June 2024

Which of the following statements about immunity are correct?

May/June 2025

Pathogens are responsible for transmissible diseases.

May/June 2025

What is one benefit of human breast milk in comparison with bottle milk?

Oct/Nov 2016

What is one benefit to a baby of breast-feeding rather than bottle feeding?

Oct/Nov 2020

The body usually rejects tissue transplants unless the donated tissue and the patient are matched very closely. Which blood component is responsible for causing rejection of transplanted tissue?

Oct/Nov 2022

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages the immune system, causing a reduction in lymphocyte numbers. A diagnosis of AIDS may be made once lymphocyte numbers fall below $200$ cells mm$^{-3}$ of blood. The graph shows the lymphocyte numbers after HIV infection in a patient. After how many years from infection would this patient be diagnosed with AIDS?

Oct/Nov 2023

The graph illustrates how the concentration of antibodies in a child’s blood changes over time. It indicates the changes in antibody concentration after the child has been vaccinated against a specific disease and after the child has been infected by the pathogen responsible for that disease. From the graph, which statement is correct?

Oct/Nov 2023

Which statement concerning the immune system is correct?

Oct/Nov 2024

Vaccination is used to limit the spread of transmissible diseases. The MMR vaccine is administered to young children and gives immunity against a disease known as measles. The graph displays the percentage of a country’s population vaccinated with the MMR vaccine and the number of measles cases over time. Which statement is supported by the data?

Oct/Nov 2024

Explain how long-term active immunity is produced in the human body after a pathogen has infected it.

Oct/Nov 2024

A virus is a kind of pathogen. Fig. 2.1 shows the outside structure of a virus.

Oct/Nov 2024

Which statement correctly describes active immunity?

Oct/Nov 2025