Download Activity 2 Q/A Answers

TEACHER’S ANSWER KEY
If you reflect on what you've learned about the immune system,
you may recall that there are really 2 types of lymphocytes, B-cells
and T-cells.

The B-type makes circulating antibodies. The B-type is made in lymph nodes and bone
marrow.

The T-type lymphocyte kills foreign cells on contact or helps by releasing chemicals that
assist in killing invaders. T-cells recognize the surface proteins on other cells and when
they come in contact with an intruder, the invading cells are killed. These lymphocytes are
made in a gland at the base of the neck, called the thymus. Production of T-cells can be
reactivated at any time, if a foreign antigen is presented. T-cells also play a role in the
rejection of transplanted tissue and in fighting cancer.
1. Why would the body not be adequately protected if it only had the B or T-cell immune
system? Why does it need BOTH types of immune responses?
Sometimes antibodies or T-cells cannot be made for a certain virus or disease or
the protein needed for the antibody your T-cell to be effective cannot be developed.
Each B cell and T cell is specific for a particular antigen (invader). What this
means is that each is able to recognize and bind to a particular molecular
structure and destroy the invader through that recognition.
In addition to the body's natural defenses, vaccines may be administered to boost the
body's immunity and prevent disease. For many diseases, the vaccine contains the
infection, but it is weakened. The goal in vaccine manufacturing is to make the infectious
organism weak enough so that it won't cause the disease but strong enough so that it will
activate the body's immune system.
Once the immune system is activated by the disease agent, antibodies are created to fight
the disease. The antibodies are "programmed" specifically to fight that particular
infectious agent. The original antibodies that are generated in response to a vaccination
eventually go away, but the immune system has a "memory".
After a vaccination, if the disease agent that was vaccinated against
enters the body, new antibodies are immediately created using the
"programming" from the old vaccine. The new antibodies are
specifically developed to destroy the specific disease agent that has
entered the body.
Activity #2: Immune System - Q/A
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TEACHER’S ANSWER KEY
2. Make a list of diseases for which there are vaccines. Make one list for humans and one for
animals. Make another list of diseases for which there are NO vaccines, categorizing the list,
once again, by human and animal diseases.
Students’ lists may vary, but some human diseases that DO have vaccines include:
influenza, chicken pox, smallpox, polio, diphtheria, measles, tetanus, rubella, and
anthrax
Animal diseases that have vaccines include: rabies, anthrax, distemper, feline
leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Lyme Disease,
Bordetella
3. Research some of the human vaccines you have listed. Indicate how often the vaccination has
to be repeated and any other interesting information you find out about different vaccines. Be
sure to write down the websites or books you use to find your information (your sources).
Student responses will vary greatly depending on the vaccines/diseases they
choose to study.
Activity #2: Immune System - Q/A
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