Immunity
1. Define immunity. Explain types of immunity in detail.
Immunity is the body's ability to resist or defend against infections and harmful substances by recognizing and neutralizing pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
Types of Immunity:
- Innate Immunity (Non-specific Immunity): Present from birth, provides immediate defense against pathogens. It does not target specific pathogens.
- Acquired Immunity (Adaptive Immunity): Develops after exposure to specific pathogens or through vaccination. It is specific and has memory.
2. Describe innate immunity and acquired immunity with examples.
Innate Immunity:
- Characteristics: Non-specific, immediate response, no memory.
- Components:
- Physical barriers: Skin, mucous membranes
- Chemical barriers: Stomach acid, enzymes in saliva
- Cellular defenses: Phagocytes (e.g., macrophages, neutrophils), natural killer cells
- Example: When you get a cut, the skin acts as a barrier; if bacteria enter, phagocytes attack them immediately.
Acquired Immunity:
- Characteristics: Specific to a pathogen, slower initial response, has memory for faster response upon re-exposure.
- Types:
- Active Immunity: Body produces antibodies after infection or vaccination.
- Passive Immunity: Receiving antibodies from another source (e.g., mother to baby through breast milk).
- Example: After vaccination against measles, the body produces specific antibodies to fight the virus if exposed later.
3. Explain autoimmune disorders and their causes.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells and tissues.
Causes:
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental triggers (infections, toxins)
- Hormonal factors
- Failure of immune tolerance mechanisms
Examples:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (joints)
- Type 1 diabetes (pancreatic cells)
- Multiple sclerosis (nerve cells)
4. Describe immunization schedule for children in India.
The National Immunization Schedule in India includes vaccines given at specific ages to protect children from various diseases:
| Age | Vaccine(s) |
|---|---|
| At birth | BCG (against tuberculosis), OPV 0 (oral polio vaccine), Hepatitis B (birth dose) |
| 6 weeks | DPT 1, OPV 1, Hepatitis B 1, Hib 1 (Haemophilus influenzae type b) |
| 10 weeks | DPT 2, OPV 2, Hepatitis B 2, Hib 2 |
| 14 weeks | DPT 3, OPV 3, Hepatitis B 3, Hib 3 |
| 9-12 months | Measles, Vitamin A supplementation |
| 16-24 months | DPT booster, OPV booster |
This schedule may be updated; always refer to the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India.
Previous Year Questions (As per INC & ANC Syllabus)
Long Questions (5–10 Marks)
1. Define immunity. Explain types of immunity in detail.
2. Describe innate immunity and acquired immunity with examples.
3. Define antibody and antigen. Explain antigen-antibody reaction.
4. Explain active and passive immunity with suitable examples.
5. Describe the structure and functions of the immune system.
6. Explain humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity.
7. Discuss the role of vaccination in prevention of diseases.
8. Define hypersensitivity. Explain different types of hypersensitivity reactions.
9. Explain autoimmune disorders and their causes.
10. Describe immunization schedule for children in India.
11. Explain the mechanism of body defense against infection.
12. Discuss factors affecting immunity.
13. Explain allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
14. Describe the role of lymphocytes in immunity.
15. Explain natural and artificial immunity with examples.
Short Notes (3–5 Marks)
1. Immunity
2. Antigen
3. Antibody
4. Vaccine
5. Immunization
6. Active immunity
7. Passive immunity
8. Natural immunity
9. Artificial immunity
10. Cell-mediated immunity
11. Humoral immunity
12. Hypersensitivity
13. Allergy
14. Autoimmunity
15. Anaphylaxis
16. B lymphocytes
17. T lymphocytes
18. Booster dose
19. Herd immunity
20. Immunoglobulins
Very Short Questions
1. Define immunity.
2. What is antigen?
3. Define antibody.
4. Name the types of immunity.
5. What is vaccination?
6. What is immunization?
7. Expand BCG.
8. What is passive immunity?
9. What is active immunity?
10. Name one live vaccine.
11. Name one killed vaccine.
12. What is allergy?
13. Define hypersensitivity.
14. What is anaphylaxis?
15. Name the cells responsible for immunity.
16. What are immunoglobulins?
17. Name one autoimmune disease.
18. What is herd immunity?
19. What is booster dose?
20. Define vaccine.
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MCQs (Previous Year Type)
1. Immunity acquired after vaccination is:
a) Natural passive immunity
b) Artificial active immunity
c) Natural active immunity
d) Artificial passive immunity
Ans: b) Artificial active immunity
2. Antibodies are produced by:
a) RBC
b) Platelets
c) B lymphocytes
d) Neutrophils
Ans: c) B lymphocytes
3. The first line of defense in the body is:
a) Antibodies
b) Skin and mucous membrane
c) Lymphocytes
d) Plasma cells
Ans: b) Skin and mucous membrane
4. BCG vaccine is used to prevent:
a) Polio
b) Tuberculosis
c) Measles
d) Hepatitis
Ans: b) Tuberculosis
5. Severe allergic reaction is called:
a) Immunity
b) Hypersensitivity
c) Anaphylaxis
d) Autoimmunity
Ans: c) Anaphylaxis
6. Immunity obtained from mother to baby is:
a) Artificial active immunity
b) Natural passive immunity
c) Artificial passive immunity
d) Acquired immunity
Ans: b) Natural passive immunity
7. The cells responsible for cell-mediated immunity are:
a) RBC
b) B cells
c) T cells
d) Platelets
Ans: c) T cells
8. Example of autoimmune disease:
a) Tuberculosis
b) Diabetes mellitus type 1
c) Malaria
d) Typhoid
Ans: b) Diabetes mellitus type 1
Important Repeated Questions for Exam
* Define immunity and explain its types.
* Differentiate active and passive immunity.
* Explain humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
* Write short note on vaccination.
* Explain antigen and antibody reaction.
* Describe immunization schedule.
* Write short note on hypersensitivity and allergy.
* Explain natural and artificial immunity with examples.
