Organ transplant patients are given drugs to minimise the rejection of transplanted organs - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 14
Organ transplant patients are given drugs to minimise the rejection of transplanted organs.
How do these drugs work?
(A) They inhibit the production of enzymes by ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Organ transplant patients are given drugs to minimise the rejection of transplanted organs - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
They inhibit the production of enzymes by the transplanted organ that leads to its rejection.
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Answer
This option is incorrect as the drugs do not inhibit enzyme production but rather work primarily on the immune system.
Step 2
They suppress the immune response which recognises ‘foreign’ molecules on the transplanted organs.
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Answer
This option is correct. The primary function of immunosuppressive drugs is to reduce the immune response, thereby preventing the body from rejecting the transplanted organ.
Step 3
They act as antibiotics so that bacteria are killed before causing infections in transplanted organs.
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Answer
This option is incorrect. While infections are a concern for transplant patients, immunosuppressive drugs do not act as antibiotics.
Step 4
They promote the repair of the blood vessel connections between the transplanted organ and the host body.
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This option is also incorrect. Immunosuppressive drugs do not directly promote vascular repair but focus on immune suppression.
