Flaherty: Immunology for Pharmacy
Chapter 01: Cells and Organs of the Immune System
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The main function of _______________ is to ingest and destroy bacteria.
a. B cells
b. Eosinophils
c. Natural killer (NK) cells
d. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)
ANS: D
B cells and NK cells have a variety of immune functions, but neither can ingest organisms.
While eosinophils can ingest organisms, their main function is to degranulate to kill large
parasites.
2. Monocytes are primarily located in the:
a. Liver
b. Blood
c. Spleen
d. Lymph nodes
ANS: B
When monocytes migrate to tissues, such as the liver, they become macrophages.
Specifically, macrophages in the liver are known as Kupffer cells. Monocytes can circulate
through the spleen and lymph nodes, but the main cells in those organs are lymphocytes and
macrophages. Monocytes primarily circulate in the blood.
3. Monocytes enter tissue and develop into:
a. PMNs
b. Mast cells
c. Plasma cells
d. Macrophages
ANS: D
Mast cells are located in the tissues, but they are a distinct cell type and do not develop from
another circulating cell. Activated B cells develop into plasma cells. PMNs are found in the
blood, and are a distinct cell type that does not develop from another circulating cell.
Monocytes enter tissues and develop into the larger macrophages that either remain fixed in
the tissue or move through the tissues searching for debris and pathogens.
4. All T cells express which of the following CD markers?
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
,Test Bank 1-2
a. CD3
b. CD4
c. CD8
d. CD16
ANS: A
The CD3 marker is expressed on all T cells as part of the T cell receptor (TCR). The CD4
marker is specific for T helper cells, and the CD8 marker is specific for cytotoxic T cells. The
CD16 marker, along with CD56, is found on NK cells.
5. Which of the following cells is important for killing virus-infected cells?
a. NK cells
b. Basophils
c. Monocytes
d. Plasma cells
ANS: A
The main function of NK cells is to kill cells that are infected with intracellular pathogens,
mainly viruses, and to kill tumor cells. Basophils are mainly involved in allergic reactions
and in the destruction of large gastrointestinal parasites. Monocytes usually ingest only small
pathogens, such as bacteria. Plasma cells produce antibodies, and do not have the capability
to kill other cells.
6. Immature thymocytes begin their initial cycle of proliferation in:
a. The thymic cortex
b. Hassall’s corpuscles
c. The germinal center
d. The lymph node medulla
ANS: A
T cells begin maturation in the thymic cortex and migrate to the medulla to undergo further
maturation and differentiation. Hassall’s corpuscles contain degenerating cells in the thymus.
B cells proliferate in the germinal centers in the cortex of the lymph node, and the medulla of
the lymph node contains a variety of cells involved in facilitating antigen-antibody
interactions.
7. In positive selection, thymocytes undergo apoptosis when:
I. They do not interact with MHC molecules
II. They bind to MHC molecules with high affinity
III. They bind to MHC molecules with low affinity
a. I only
b. III only
c. I and II
d. II and III
e. I, II, and III
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
,Test Bank 1-3
ANS: C
In positive selection, thymocytes that do not interact with MHC undergo apoptosis because
they are nonreactive. Thymocytes that bind to MHC with high affinity also undergo
apoptosis because they are considered autoreactive. Thymocytes that bind to MHC with low
affinity are considered non-threatening and migrate deeper into the thymic cortex for further
maturation.
8. The role of microfold (M) cells is to:
a. Trap antigens
b. Kill pathogens
c. Present antigens
d. Produce antibodies
ANS: A
M cells in the Peyer’s patches of the intestine have invaginated surfaces that serve to trap
antigens. The antigens can then be transported across the submucosa so that intraepithelial
lymphocytes can interact with the antigen.
9. The main purpose of diapedesis is to:
a. Aid neutrophils in granule release
b. Capture antigens for presentation to lymphocytes
c. Allow immune cells to travel to the site of infection
d. Activate macrophages for more effective phagocytosis
ANS: C
Diapedesis is the process by which immune cells leave the circulation and travel to the site of
an infection. This process is initiated by the release of chemokines by cells already at the site.
In response to the chemokines, endothelial cells upregulate adhesion molecules that grab
passing white blood cells, particularly neutrophils (PMNs), and slow them down. The
neutrophil then squeezes between endothelial cells and moves through the tissues to the site
of infection, guided by the chemokines. The process of diapedesis does not involve antigen
capture, granule release, or phagocytosis, but is often a step that follows or precedes these
events.
10. Which cell type contains granules that are specific for killing parasites?
a. PMNs
b. Eosinophils
c. Macrophages
d. Large granular lymphocytes
ANS: B
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
, Test Bank 1-4
Eosinophils have large granules that contain substances, such as major basic protein (MBP)
and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), that specifically target large parasites. Macrophages
do not have granules. Large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) and PMNs have granules, but
those granule components are used for purposes other than killing large parasites. LGLs
mainly kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells, and the granules in PMNs aid in killing small
pathogens, such as bacteria, that are ingested by phagocytosis.
11. What role does the T helper 1 (Th1) subset play in the immune response?
a. Inhibits viral replication
b. Causes target cell death of infected cells
c. Assists B cells in the production of antibody
d. Generates inflammatory responses to pathogens
ANS: D
T helper 1 cells generate inflammatory responses, while T helper 2 (Th2) cells assist with
antibody production. Cytotoxic T cells subset 1 (Tc1) are important to kill infected target
cells, and cytotoxic T cells subset 2 (Tc2) are able to inhibit replication of viruses and tumor
cells.
12. The __________________ serves as a filter to trap infections in the tissues.
a. Spleen
b. Thymus
c. Bone marrow
d. Lymph system
ANS: D
Tissue fluid drains into the lymphatic system and then circulates through the lymph nodes.
Cells that have captured antigen for presentation remain in the lymph nodes to interact with
B and T cells. The spleen serves a similar function, but for pathogens that are circulating in
the blood. The bone marrow and thymus are involved in B and T cell maturation, but are not
involved in facilitating interactions between antigen and lymphocytes.
13. B cells that are actively proliferating are located in the ________________ of the lymph
node.
a. Mantle layer
b. Germinal center
c. Medullary region
d. Paracortical region
ANS: B
While some of the other areas may contain B cells, the germinal center is part of the lymph
node cortex and contains B cells that have been activated and are proliferating. The mantle
layer surrounds the germinal centers and contains memory B cells. The paracortex is located
between the follicles and contains a variety of cells types, including macrophages and T
helper cells. The medullary region is the center area of the lymph node and also contains
different cell types, as well as medullary sinuses.
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Chapter 01: Cells and Organs of the Immune System
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The main function of _______________ is to ingest and destroy bacteria.
a. B cells
b. Eosinophils
c. Natural killer (NK) cells
d. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)
ANS: D
B cells and NK cells have a variety of immune functions, but neither can ingest organisms.
While eosinophils can ingest organisms, their main function is to degranulate to kill large
parasites.
2. Monocytes are primarily located in the:
a. Liver
b. Blood
c. Spleen
d. Lymph nodes
ANS: B
When monocytes migrate to tissues, such as the liver, they become macrophages.
Specifically, macrophages in the liver are known as Kupffer cells. Monocytes can circulate
through the spleen and lymph nodes, but the main cells in those organs are lymphocytes and
macrophages. Monocytes primarily circulate in the blood.
3. Monocytes enter tissue and develop into:
a. PMNs
b. Mast cells
c. Plasma cells
d. Macrophages
ANS: D
Mast cells are located in the tissues, but they are a distinct cell type and do not develop from
another circulating cell. Activated B cells develop into plasma cells. PMNs are found in the
blood, and are a distinct cell type that does not develop from another circulating cell.
Monocytes enter tissues and develop into the larger macrophages that either remain fixed in
the tissue or move through the tissues searching for debris and pathogens.
4. All T cells express which of the following CD markers?
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
,Test Bank 1-2
a. CD3
b. CD4
c. CD8
d. CD16
ANS: A
The CD3 marker is expressed on all T cells as part of the T cell receptor (TCR). The CD4
marker is specific for T helper cells, and the CD8 marker is specific for cytotoxic T cells. The
CD16 marker, along with CD56, is found on NK cells.
5. Which of the following cells is important for killing virus-infected cells?
a. NK cells
b. Basophils
c. Monocytes
d. Plasma cells
ANS: A
The main function of NK cells is to kill cells that are infected with intracellular pathogens,
mainly viruses, and to kill tumor cells. Basophils are mainly involved in allergic reactions
and in the destruction of large gastrointestinal parasites. Monocytes usually ingest only small
pathogens, such as bacteria. Plasma cells produce antibodies, and do not have the capability
to kill other cells.
6. Immature thymocytes begin their initial cycle of proliferation in:
a. The thymic cortex
b. Hassall’s corpuscles
c. The germinal center
d. The lymph node medulla
ANS: A
T cells begin maturation in the thymic cortex and migrate to the medulla to undergo further
maturation and differentiation. Hassall’s corpuscles contain degenerating cells in the thymus.
B cells proliferate in the germinal centers in the cortex of the lymph node, and the medulla of
the lymph node contains a variety of cells involved in facilitating antigen-antibody
interactions.
7. In positive selection, thymocytes undergo apoptosis when:
I. They do not interact with MHC molecules
II. They bind to MHC molecules with high affinity
III. They bind to MHC molecules with low affinity
a. I only
b. III only
c. I and II
d. II and III
e. I, II, and III
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
,Test Bank 1-3
ANS: C
In positive selection, thymocytes that do not interact with MHC undergo apoptosis because
they are nonreactive. Thymocytes that bind to MHC with high affinity also undergo
apoptosis because they are considered autoreactive. Thymocytes that bind to MHC with low
affinity are considered non-threatening and migrate deeper into the thymic cortex for further
maturation.
8. The role of microfold (M) cells is to:
a. Trap antigens
b. Kill pathogens
c. Present antigens
d. Produce antibodies
ANS: A
M cells in the Peyer’s patches of the intestine have invaginated surfaces that serve to trap
antigens. The antigens can then be transported across the submucosa so that intraepithelial
lymphocytes can interact with the antigen.
9. The main purpose of diapedesis is to:
a. Aid neutrophils in granule release
b. Capture antigens for presentation to lymphocytes
c. Allow immune cells to travel to the site of infection
d. Activate macrophages for more effective phagocytosis
ANS: C
Diapedesis is the process by which immune cells leave the circulation and travel to the site of
an infection. This process is initiated by the release of chemokines by cells already at the site.
In response to the chemokines, endothelial cells upregulate adhesion molecules that grab
passing white blood cells, particularly neutrophils (PMNs), and slow them down. The
neutrophil then squeezes between endothelial cells and moves through the tissues to the site
of infection, guided by the chemokines. The process of diapedesis does not involve antigen
capture, granule release, or phagocytosis, but is often a step that follows or precedes these
events.
10. Which cell type contains granules that are specific for killing parasites?
a. PMNs
b. Eosinophils
c. Macrophages
d. Large granular lymphocytes
ANS: B
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
, Test Bank 1-4
Eosinophils have large granules that contain substances, such as major basic protein (MBP)
and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), that specifically target large parasites. Macrophages
do not have granules. Large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) and PMNs have granules, but
those granule components are used for purposes other than killing large parasites. LGLs
mainly kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells, and the granules in PMNs aid in killing small
pathogens, such as bacteria, that are ingested by phagocytosis.
11. What role does the T helper 1 (Th1) subset play in the immune response?
a. Inhibits viral replication
b. Causes target cell death of infected cells
c. Assists B cells in the production of antibody
d. Generates inflammatory responses to pathogens
ANS: D
T helper 1 cells generate inflammatory responses, while T helper 2 (Th2) cells assist with
antibody production. Cytotoxic T cells subset 1 (Tc1) are important to kill infected target
cells, and cytotoxic T cells subset 2 (Tc2) are able to inhibit replication of viruses and tumor
cells.
12. The __________________ serves as a filter to trap infections in the tissues.
a. Spleen
b. Thymus
c. Bone marrow
d. Lymph system
ANS: D
Tissue fluid drains into the lymphatic system and then circulates through the lymph nodes.
Cells that have captured antigen for presentation remain in the lymph nodes to interact with
B and T cells. The spleen serves a similar function, but for pathogens that are circulating in
the blood. The bone marrow and thymus are involved in B and T cell maturation, but are not
involved in facilitating interactions between antigen and lymphocytes.
13. B cells that are actively proliferating are located in the ________________ of the lymph
node.
a. Mantle layer
b. Germinal center
c. Medullary region
d. Paracortical region
ANS: B
While some of the other areas may contain B cells, the germinal center is part of the lymph
node cortex and contains B cells that have been activated and are proliferating. The mantle
layer surrounds the germinal centers and contains memory B cells. The paracortex is located
between the follicles and contains a variety of cells types, including macrophages and T
helper cells. The medullary region is the center area of the lymph node and also contains
different cell types, as well as medullary sinuses.
Copyright © 2012 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
