Potential command term assessment statements
Topic 11: Animal Physiology
11.1 Antibody production and vaccination
Essential Idea: Immunity is based on recognition of self and destruction of foreign material.
Nature of science: Consider ethical implications of research—Jenner tested his vaccine for smallpox
on a child.
State that every organism has unique molecules such as glycoproteins on the surface of its cells that help in
recognizing other cells and cell types or rejecting them.
State that membrane surface molecules that trigger production of antibodies are called antigens.
Outline the antigens on the surface of red blood cells stimulate antibody production in a person with a
different ABO blood group.
Blood Group
O
A
B
AB
Antigens on RBC
O
O and A
O and B
O, A and B
Antibodies produced
Anti-A and Anti-B
Anti-B
Anti-A
none
Can donate to
A, B, AB and O
A and O
B and O
AB
Can receive from
O
A and O
B and O
A, B, AB and O
State that pathogens can be species-specific although others can cross species barriers.
Explain antibody production in mammals.
1. Macrophage (phagocytic leukocyte) engulfs pathogen
2. Macrophage presents and binds an antigen to a helper T cell (lymphocyte) which becomes activated.
3. Activated T cell with the antigen binds to a specific B cell (lymphocyte) that possess a matching
antibody on its membranes and activates it.
4. Activated B cells multiply by mitosis to form clones of plasma cells and memory cells.
5. Plasma cells have a big cytoplasm with extensive rough ER to synthesize and secrete large amounts of
protein antibodies by exocytosis.
6. Antibodies aid the destruction of pathogens by binding to the specific antigen binding sites.
a. Label pathogens for recognition and rapid endocytosis by phagocytes.
b. Block viruses from binding and entering host cells.
c. Burst the pathogen membrane open.
d. Stick pathogens together so that they cannot enter host cells and make it faster/easier for
endocytosis by phagocytes.
e. Neutralize toxins produced by pathogens
7. Memory B cells and T cells persist long after the antibodies have destroyed the pathogens and allow
for a much faster response to the pathogen in the future, giving long term immunity
Explain the principle of vaccination.
 Vaccines contain antigens that trigger immunity but do not cause the disease.
 Memory cell production gives natural long term immunity
 A second (booster) vaccination produces a stronger secondary immune response for faster and
stronger response to a future pathogen.
 Smallpox was the first infectious disease of humans to have been eradicated by vaccination.
 Human vaccines are often produced using the immune responses of other animals.
Potential command term assessment statements
Analyze epidemiological data related to vaccination programmes.
Outline how certain white blood cells release histamine in response to allergens.
 Immune system over-reaction to otherwise harmless substances – allergens.
 Histamines cause allergic symptoms: inflammation, itching, mucus, sneezing, anaphylaxis.
Describe the production of monoclonal antibodies and their use in diagnosis and treatment.
 Fusion of a tumour cell with an antibody-producing plasma cell creates a hybridoma cell.
 Monoclonal antibodies are produced by hybridoma cells.
 Monoclonal antibodies to HCG are used in pregnancy test kits
 Monoclonal antibodies to pathogens can easily diagnose exposure to HIV, dengue, malaria and more.
International-mindedness: The World Health Organization initiated the campaign for the global
eradication of smallpox in 1967. The campaign was deemed a success in 1977, only 10 years later.