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When a person is bitten by a venomous snake, the snake injects a toxin into the person - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 7 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 7
When a person is bitten by a venomous snake, the snake injects a toxin into the person. Antivenom is injected as treatment. Antivenom contains antibodies against the... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:When a person is bitten by a venomous snake, the snake injects a toxin into the person - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 7 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how the treatment with antivenom works
Answer
Antivenom works by providing pre-formed antibodies that bind to the venom or toxin. This binding neutralizes the toxic effects by preventing the toxin from interacting with body cells. The antibodies trigger the destruction of the toxin through various immune mechanisms, effectively mitigating the harmful effects of the venom.
Step 2
Explain why it is essential to use passive immunity, rather than active immunity
Answer
Passive immunity is essential in this scenario because it provides immediate protection against toxins. Unlike active immunity, which requires time to develop antibodies, passive immunity offers instant defense, which is critical in the case of venomous snake bites to quickly counteract the effects of the venom.