An example of a non-specific response by the immune system is:
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 16 - 2014 - Paper 1
Question 16
An example of a non-specific response by the immune system is:
A. phagocytes engulfing non-self material.
B. cytotoxic T cells releasing chemicals into infected cel... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:An example of a non-specific response by the immune system is:
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 16 - 2014 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. phagocytes engulfing non-self material
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Answer
Phagocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in the innate immune response. They can engulf and digest pathogens and debris, demonstrating a non-specific response because this action does not target a specific pathogen but rather any non-self material.
Step 2
B. cytotoxic T cells releasing chemicals into infected cells
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This action is part of the adaptive immune response rather than a non-specific response. Cytotoxic T cells specifically target and eliminate infected cells based on the recognition of specific antigens.
Step 3
C. production of memory T cells
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The production of memory T cells is a hallmark of the adaptive immune system. These cells are tailored to recognize specific pathogens the body has encountered before, thus it is not a non-specific response.
Step 4
D. cloning of B cells to produce plasma cells
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This process is also part of the adaptive immune response where B cells are activated and cloned in response to specific antigens, leading to the production of antibodies. Therefore, this is not a non-specific response.