NBME immunology questions

Question 1

What is the primary function of B cells in the immune system?

Answer 1

To produce antibodies.

Question 2

True or False: T cells are responsible for directly killing infected host cells.

Answer 2

True.

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The _____ is the part of the immune system that specifically targets pathogens.

Answer 3

adaptive immune system

Question 4

Which type of immunity is characterized by the presence of memory cells?

Answer 4

Adaptive immunity.

Question 5

What type of antigen presenting cell is primarily responsible for activating T cells?

Answer 5

Dendritic cells.

Question 6

What is the role of helper T cells (CD4+ T cells)?

Answer 6

To assist other immune cells in the immune response.

Question 7

Name the two main types of adaptive immunity.

Answer 7

Humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity.

Question 8

True or False: Vaccination is a method of artificially inducing active immunity.

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

What is the function of regulatory T cells?

Answer 9

To maintain immune tolerance and prevent autoimmunity.

Question 10

What is the main difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

Answer 10

Innate immunity is non-specific, while adaptive immunity is specific to particular pathogens.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The _____ is a protein that binds to antigens and neutralizes them.

Answer 11

antibody

Question 12

What is the role of complement proteins in the immune response?

Answer 12

To enhance the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells.

Question 13

True or False: Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) are involved in the humoral immune response.

Answer 13

False.

Question 14

What is the significance of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Answer 14

It presents antigens to T cells.

Question 15

Which immunoglobulin is primarily found in mucosal areas?

Answer 15

IgA.

Question 16

What type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE?

Answer 16

Type I hypersensitivity (allergic reactions).

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The _____ response is the immune response that occurs upon first exposure to an antigen.

Answer 17

primary

Question 18

What is the main function of macrophages in the immune system?

Answer 18

To phagocytize pathogens and present antigens.

Question 19

True or False: Memory B cells are formed after the initial exposure to an antigen.

Answer 19

True.

Question 20

What is the role of antibodies in the immune response?

Answer 20

To neutralize pathogens and mark them for destruction.

Question 21

Which type of T cell is primarily involved in the destruction of cancer cells?

Answer 21

Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells).

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The _____ immune response is activated upon re-exposure to the same antigen.

Answer 22

secondary

Question 23

What is the primary function of natural killer (NK) cells?

Answer 23

To kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells.

Question 24

What is the difference between active and passive immunity?

Answer 24

Active immunity is acquired through infection or vaccination, while passive immunity is acquired through transfer of antibodies.

Question 25

True or False: Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

Answer 25

True.

Question 26

What type of immune cell is primarily responsible for producing cytokines?

Answer 26

T helper cells.

Question 27

What are cytokines?

Answer 27

Cytokines are small proteins that are important in cell signaling in the immune system.

Question 28

True or False: Cytokines can only be produced by immune cells.

Answer 28

False: Cytokines can be produced by a variety of cell types, including non-immune cells.

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The primary role of cytokines is to __________ immune responses.

Answer 29

regulate

Question 30

Name two types of cytokines.

Answer 30

Interleukins and interferons.

Question 31

What is the function of interleukin-1 (IL-1)?

Answer 31

IL-1 promotes inflammation and activates lymphocytes.

Question 32

Which cytokine is known for its role in the differentiation of T cells?

Answer 32

Interleukin-2 (IL-2).

Question 33

True or False: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is primarily involved in promoting apoptosis.

Answer 33

True.

Question 34

Multiple Choice: Which of the following cytokines is primarily produced by Th1 cells? A) IL-4 B) IL-10 C) IFN-gamma D) IL-17

Answer 34

C) IFN-gamma

Question 35

What role does Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) play in the immune response?

Answer 35

IFN-gamma activates macrophages and enhances antigen presentation.

Question 36

Fill in the blank: Cytokines can act in an __________ manner, affecting nearby cells.

Answer 36

autocrine

Question 37

What is the primary source of Interleukin-6 (IL-6)?

Answer 37

Macrophages and other immune cells.

Question 38

True or False: Cytokines can have overlapping functions.

Answer 38

True.

Question 39

Which cytokine is known for its anti-inflammatory properties?

Answer 39

Interleukin-10 (IL-10).

Question 40

Multiple Choice: Which cytokine is primarily associated with allergic responses? A) IL-1 B) IL-4 C) TNF D) IFN-alpha

Answer 40

B) IL-4

Question 41

What is the main function of chemokines?

Answer 41

Chemokines direct the migration of immune cells to sites of infection or inflammation.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: The cytokine that is critical for the development of Th17 cells is __________.

Answer 42

IL-6

Question 43

What type of receptor do most cytokines bind to?

Answer 43

Specific cell surface receptors.

Question 44

True or False: Cytokines can only exert effects in their local environment and cannot enter the bloodstream.

Answer 44

False.

Question 45

What is the role of Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the immune system?

Answer 45

TGF-beta is involved in immune regulation and promoting tolerance.

Question 46

Multiple Choice: Which cytokine plays a key role in the acute phase response during inflammation? A) IL-1 B) IL-10 C) IL-2 D) IL-4

Answer 46

A) IL-1

Question 47

What effect does IL-12 have on T cells?

Answer 47

IL-12 promotes the differentiation of naive T cells into Th1 cells.

Question 48

Fill in the blank: __________ is a cytokine that promotes hematopoiesis.

Answer 48

Interleukin-3 (IL-3)

Question 49

Which cytokine is involved in the regulation of the immune response to viral infections?

Answer 49

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha).

Question 50

True or False: Cytokines can only have one specific target cell type.

Answer 50

False.

Question 51

What is the primary function of the cytokine IL-5?

Answer 51

IL-5 stimulates the growth and differentiation of B cells and eosinophils.

Question 52

Multiple Choice: Which cytokine is known for inducing fever? A) IL-6 B) IL-10 C) TNF-alpha D) Both A and C

Answer 52

D) Both A and C