Test Bank
Kuby Immunology: COVID-19 Digital Update,
8th Edition by Jenni Punt –
Complete Chapter Exam Questions 2025
, Chapter 01
1. Two of the main, early theories proposed to explain how antigen-specific antibodies develop were the
instructional theory and the selective theory. How did the two differ? Which was ultimately shown to be
CORRECT?
CORRECT ANSWER: The selective theory says that, when an antigen receptor binds with an antigen,
the cell becomes activated (or the cell is selected to proliferate and secrete more copies of the receptor).
The instructional theory says that the antigen receptor molds itself to the antigen. The selective theory
was shown to be correct.
2. Often, serendipity plays a role in significant scientific discoveries. In your own words, explain how
serendipity led Pasteur to discover a cholera vaccine.
CORRECT ANSWER: Pasteur developed the vaccine in chickens, which were in short supply. He
challenged groups of chickens with cholera bacteria—some of which were previously exposed to an
attenuated version of cholera bacteria. Only the previously exposed animals were protected from a new
challenge, which led to the use of weakened pathogens as vaccines.
3. Despite its having been eradicated on a global scale, smallpox is presently considered a potential
bioterrorism threat. Why? Use evidence to support your answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: After eradication was achieved, smallpox vaccination programs largely ended. As
populations continued to grow over time, an ever-increasing percentage of the human population remains
unvaccinated and thus, is still susceptible to the disease.
4. Prior to 1999, it was claimed that a thimerosal additive in vaccines was contributing to the rising
incidence of autism. If the claims were true, what resultant trend might you expect to observe in the rate
of autism once thimerosal was removed from vaccines?
CORRECT ANSWER: One would reasonably expect a decrease in the rate of autism. However, cases of
autism continued to rise after thimerosal was removed from vaccines in 2001.
5. Given the discovery and development of effective antibiotics, make an argument for the continued use
of vaccines against bacterial pathogens. Use evidence to support your answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: Antibiotics are used for treatment of disease, not typically for prevention.
Antibiotic treatment is not foolproof (considering the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance). Vaccines
are a preventative measure, and prevention is the gold standard for infectious disease control measures.
,6. You have a friend unfamiliar with immunology, and he asks you the following question: "Why do I
need the flu shot every year, but don't need an annual chickenpox vaccine?" As a student of immunology,
how would you explain this discrepancy to your friend? Use evidence to support your answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: The virus that causes the flu changes every year - as a result, a new flu vaccine
must be prepared each year based on a predication of the most common forms of the virus likely to be
encountered. Vaccines are specific in the type of pathogen against which they protect, and protection
against one type does not guarantee protection against pathogens that are closely-related.
7. Provide one benefit and one drawback of generating random recognition receptors during the
development of B cells.
CORRECT ANSWER: A benefit is having the capacity to recognize and respond to diverse pathogens as
they evolve. A drawback is that some recognition receptors could potentially recognize and target host
antigens.
8. A portion of our immune systems' white blood cells is constantly circulating throughout the body via
circulation and lymphatics. What is the benefit of such circulation?
CORRECT ANSWER: The circulation of the white blood cells allows for a more comprehensive
surveillance of the body for the presence of potential pathogens. A significant portion of the human body
is constantly exposed to potential microbial pathogens.
9. Complete the following table by comparing and contrasting innate and adaptive immune responses.
Innate Immunity Adaptive Immunity
Is mediated by what cells?
What do they recognize?
How are the receptors encoded?
Why can't they control all infections alone?
What do they do in response to antigen?
, CORRECT ANSWER:
Adaptive
Innate Immunity
Immunity
Macrophages, NK
Is mediated by T cells and B
cells, neutrophils,
what cells? cells
mast cells eosinophils
What do they Specific
Pathogen patterns
recognize? epitopes
How are the Rearranged
receptors Germ line
gene segments
encoded?
Why can't they
Pathogens evolve Takes too long
control all
escape mechanisms to develop
infections alone?
What do they do Produce
Engulf and destroy,
in response to antibodies, kill
induce inflammation
antigen? infected cells
10. What are the hallmarks of inflammation? Describe the physical characteristics of someone
experiencing an inflammatory response.
CORRECT ANSWER: Redness, swelling, heat, pain. Someone experiencing inflammation might have
localized swelling and redness or itching or may be experiencing faintness due to a lowering of blood
pressure if more severe.
11. Upon receiving immune serum as a treatment for a venomous snake bite, would the recipient be
immune from future bites of the same species?
CORRECT ANSWER: In the short-term, probably, as the serum contains protective antibodies against
the venom. In the long-term, no, as serum treatment is a form of passive immunity. Passive immunity
does not generate long-lived memory cells.
12. Provide one common feature of and two differences between B-cell receptors and PRRs.
CORRECT ANSWER: A common feature is that they both are used to recognize foreign antigens. A B-
cell receptor is more selective than a PRR. The DNA that encodes for a PRR in an individual is inherited.
The DNA that encodes for a mature B-cell receptor from an individual is not passed on to offspring.
Kuby Immunology: COVID-19 Digital Update,
8th Edition by Jenni Punt –
Complete Chapter Exam Questions 2025
, Chapter 01
1. Two of the main, early theories proposed to explain how antigen-specific antibodies develop were the
instructional theory and the selective theory. How did the two differ? Which was ultimately shown to be
CORRECT?
CORRECT ANSWER: The selective theory says that, when an antigen receptor binds with an antigen,
the cell becomes activated (or the cell is selected to proliferate and secrete more copies of the receptor).
The instructional theory says that the antigen receptor molds itself to the antigen. The selective theory
was shown to be correct.
2. Often, serendipity plays a role in significant scientific discoveries. In your own words, explain how
serendipity led Pasteur to discover a cholera vaccine.
CORRECT ANSWER: Pasteur developed the vaccine in chickens, which were in short supply. He
challenged groups of chickens with cholera bacteria—some of which were previously exposed to an
attenuated version of cholera bacteria. Only the previously exposed animals were protected from a new
challenge, which led to the use of weakened pathogens as vaccines.
3. Despite its having been eradicated on a global scale, smallpox is presently considered a potential
bioterrorism threat. Why? Use evidence to support your answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: After eradication was achieved, smallpox vaccination programs largely ended. As
populations continued to grow over time, an ever-increasing percentage of the human population remains
unvaccinated and thus, is still susceptible to the disease.
4. Prior to 1999, it was claimed that a thimerosal additive in vaccines was contributing to the rising
incidence of autism. If the claims were true, what resultant trend might you expect to observe in the rate
of autism once thimerosal was removed from vaccines?
CORRECT ANSWER: One would reasonably expect a decrease in the rate of autism. However, cases of
autism continued to rise after thimerosal was removed from vaccines in 2001.
5. Given the discovery and development of effective antibiotics, make an argument for the continued use
of vaccines against bacterial pathogens. Use evidence to support your answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: Antibiotics are used for treatment of disease, not typically for prevention.
Antibiotic treatment is not foolproof (considering the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance). Vaccines
are a preventative measure, and prevention is the gold standard for infectious disease control measures.
,6. You have a friend unfamiliar with immunology, and he asks you the following question: "Why do I
need the flu shot every year, but don't need an annual chickenpox vaccine?" As a student of immunology,
how would you explain this discrepancy to your friend? Use evidence to support your answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: The virus that causes the flu changes every year - as a result, a new flu vaccine
must be prepared each year based on a predication of the most common forms of the virus likely to be
encountered. Vaccines are specific in the type of pathogen against which they protect, and protection
against one type does not guarantee protection against pathogens that are closely-related.
7. Provide one benefit and one drawback of generating random recognition receptors during the
development of B cells.
CORRECT ANSWER: A benefit is having the capacity to recognize and respond to diverse pathogens as
they evolve. A drawback is that some recognition receptors could potentially recognize and target host
antigens.
8. A portion of our immune systems' white blood cells is constantly circulating throughout the body via
circulation and lymphatics. What is the benefit of such circulation?
CORRECT ANSWER: The circulation of the white blood cells allows for a more comprehensive
surveillance of the body for the presence of potential pathogens. A significant portion of the human body
is constantly exposed to potential microbial pathogens.
9. Complete the following table by comparing and contrasting innate and adaptive immune responses.
Innate Immunity Adaptive Immunity
Is mediated by what cells?
What do they recognize?
How are the receptors encoded?
Why can't they control all infections alone?
What do they do in response to antigen?
, CORRECT ANSWER:
Adaptive
Innate Immunity
Immunity
Macrophages, NK
Is mediated by T cells and B
cells, neutrophils,
what cells? cells
mast cells eosinophils
What do they Specific
Pathogen patterns
recognize? epitopes
How are the Rearranged
receptors Germ line
gene segments
encoded?
Why can't they
Pathogens evolve Takes too long
control all
escape mechanisms to develop
infections alone?
What do they do Produce
Engulf and destroy,
in response to antibodies, kill
induce inflammation
antigen? infected cells
10. What are the hallmarks of inflammation? Describe the physical characteristics of someone
experiencing an inflammatory response.
CORRECT ANSWER: Redness, swelling, heat, pain. Someone experiencing inflammation might have
localized swelling and redness or itching or may be experiencing faintness due to a lowering of blood
pressure if more severe.
11. Upon receiving immune serum as a treatment for a venomous snake bite, would the recipient be
immune from future bites of the same species?
CORRECT ANSWER: In the short-term, probably, as the serum contains protective antibodies against
the venom. In the long-term, no, as serum treatment is a form of passive immunity. Passive immunity
does not generate long-lived memory cells.
12. Provide one common feature of and two differences between B-cell receptors and PRRs.
CORRECT ANSWER: A common feature is that they both are used to recognize foreign antigens. A B-
cell receptor is more selective than a PRR. The DNA that encodes for a PRR in an individual is inherited.
The DNA that encodes for a mature B-cell receptor from an individual is not passed on to offspring.
