A daily blood sample was obtained from an individual who received a single vaccination against a particular strain of the influenza virus - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 26 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 26
A daily blood sample was obtained from an individual who received a single vaccination against a particular strain of the influenza virus. The individual had no prio... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A daily blood sample was obtained from an individual who received a single vaccination against a particular strain of the influenza virus - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 26 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Memory B cells were activated by exposure to the same strain of the influenza virus on day 22.
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Answer
This statement is not supported by the graph. The graph shows an increase in antibodies starting before day 22, implying that activation occurred earlier due to vaccination.
Step 2
B plasma cells specific to this strain of influenza were most numerous on day 30.
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Answer
The graph indicates that the concentration of antibodies peaks around day 30. This suggests that B plasma cells were indeed most numerous at this point, corroborating this statement as correct.
Step 3
Herd immunity to this particular strain of influenza was achieved by day 55.
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The graph does not provide information on herd immunity, which involves the immunity of a population rather than an individual. Thus, this statement is not supported.
Step 4
The vaccination containing weakened influenza antigens occurred on day 10.
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While the graph shows a steady rise in antibody concentration after day 10, it does not provide definitive evidence that the vaccination occurred precisely on this day, so this statement is not conclusively supported.
