MCAT Biology Practice Test 8: The Immune System

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1. In DiGeorge syndrome, the thymus can be completely absent. The absence of the thymus would leave an individual unable to mount specific defenses against which of the following types of pathogens?

  • A. Viruses
  • B. Bacteria
  • C. Parasites
  • D. Fungi

2. Which of the following are NOT involved in cell-mediated immunity?

  • A. Memory cells
  • B. Plasma cells
  • C. Cytotoxic cells
  • D. Suppressor cells

3. The lymphatic system:

  • A. transports hormones throughout the body.
  • B. transports chylomicrons to the circulatory system.
  • C. causes extravasation of fluid into tissues.
  • D. is the site of mast cell activation.

4. Which of the following are involved in antibody production?

  • A. Plasma cells
  • B. Memory cells
  • C. Helper T-cells
  • D. Cytotoxic cells

5. Which of the following is NOT an example of a nonspecific defense mechanism?

  • A. Skin provides a physical barrier against invasion.
  • B. Macrophages engulf and destroy foreign particles.
  • C. An inflammatory response is initiated in response to physical damage.
  • D. Cytotoxic T-cells destroy cells displaying foreign antigens.

6. Which of the following is an example of adaptive immunity?

  • A. PRRs recognize that a pathogen is an invasive parasite and eosinophils are recruited to the area.
  • B. Complement is activated, causing osmotic instability in a bacterium.
  • C. B-cells generated through vaccination are activated when their antigen is encountered.
  • D. Dendritic cells sample bacteria within a laceration and travel to the lymph nodes to present the antigen.

7. Which of the following is true regarding passive and active immunity?

  • A. Active immunity requires weeks to build, whereas passive immunity is acquired immediately.
  • B. Active immunity is short-lived, whereas passive immunity is long-lived.
  • C. Active immunity may be acquired during pregnancy through the placenta.
  • D. Passive immunity may be acquired through vaccination.

8. Where are most self-reactive T-cells eliminated?

  • A. Spleen
  • B. Lymph nodes
  • C. Bone marrow
  • D. Thymus

9. What is the response of the immune system to downregulation of MHC molecules on somatic cells?

  • A. B-cells are activated and antibodies are released.
  • B. T-cells are activated, resulting in a cytotoxic response.
  • C. Natural killer cells induce apoptosis of affected cells.
  • D. Macrophages engulf the pathogen and display its antigens.

10. Which of the following correctly indicates the response of CD8+ T-cells when activated?

  • A. Secretion of cytotoxic chemicals
  • B. Causing isotype switching
  • C. Presentation of antigens
  • D. Activation of B-cells

11. Lymphoma is cancer of the cells of the lymphoid lineage. These cells often reside within lymph nodes. What type of cell is NOT likely to cause a lymphoma?

  • A. CD8+ T-cells
  • B. B-cells
  • C. Macrophages
  • D. Th1 cells

12. Upon encountering an antigen, only T-cells with the specific T-cell receptor are activated. This is an example of:

  • A. innate immunity.
  • B. a cytotoxic T-cell response.
  • C. humoral immunity.
  • D. clonal selection.

13. Which cell type is a phagocyte that attacks bacterial pathogens in the bloodstream?

  • A. Neutrophils
  • B. Eosinophils
  • C. Basophils
  • D. Dendritic cells

14. What type of immunity is likely to be affected by removal of the spleen?

  • A. Cytotoxic immunity
  • B. Humoral immunity
  • C. Innate immunity
  • D. Passive immunity

15. Which of the following cell types is NOT a granulocyte?

  • A. B-cell
  • B. Mast cell
  • C. Eosinophil
  • D. Basophil