Lesson 3.2.4.2

3.2.4.2 The immune response: T and B lymphocytes Quiz: AQA Biology, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.2.4.2, The immune response: T and B lymphocytes: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Biology (7402), Unit 2: Cells, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which cells present antigens to helper T cells in the cellular response?

    • Neurones, which transmit impulses along axons to the spinal cord.
    • Red blood cells, which carry oxygen and display antibodies on their surface.
    • Platelets, which release clotting factors that bind antigens in the blood.
    • Antigen-presenting cells, which display antigen fragments on their surface.

  2. What is the role of helper T cells (TH cells) in the immune response?

    • They kill infected cells by releasing lysozymes into the cytoplasm.
    • They stimulate cytotoxic T cells, B cells and phagocytes to respond to a foreign antigen.
    • They engulf and digest pathogens by phagocytosis in the lymph nodes.
    • They produce antibodies directly and release them into the blood plasma.

  3. What is the role of cytotoxic T cells (TC cells) in the immune response?

    • They produce antibodies that bind to free antigens in the blood plasma.
    • They kill infected or abnormal body cells that display foreign antigens.
    • They stimulate B cells to divide and produce memory cells.
    • They engulf pathogens by phagocytosis and digest them with lysozymes.

  4. What happens to a B cell when it binds to a foreign antigen with the help of a helper T cell?

    • It divides by mitosis to form many identical plasma and memory cells, which is clonal selection.
    • It divides by meiosis to produce haploid gametes that fight the pathogen.
    • It engulfs the antigen and digests it using lysozymes within the B cell.
    • It becomes a helper T cell that releases antibodies into the blood plasma.

  5. Which cells release large quantities of antibody into the blood and other body fluids?

    • Plasma cells, which are derived from B lymphocytes.
    • Helper T cells, which release cytokines to stimulate phagocytes.
    • Memory cells, which divide to form more cytotoxic T cells.
    • Phagocytes, which release lysozymes into the bloodstream.

  6. Which statement describes the structure of an antibody?

    • A Y-shaped protein made of four polypeptide chains, with two binding sites for an antigen.
    • A globular protein made of one polypeptide chain with a single binding site.
    • A circular DNA molecule that carries genetic information for antibody production.
    • A lipid molecule with a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

  7. How does an antigen-antibody complex lead to the destruction of a bacterium?

    • The antibody converts the bacterium into a harmless carbohydrate by hydrolysis.
    • The antibody causes the bacterium to divide by mitosis until it is destroyed.
    • The antibody binds to the bacterium, causing agglutination or allowing phagocytosis.
    • The antibody passes into the bacterium and kills it using enzymes in its cytoplasm.

  8. What is the difference between the primary and secondary immune responses?

    • The primary response is faster, because no antigen recognition is needed for antibodies to be made.
    • The secondary response does not involve B cells, because only the primary response uses lymphocytes.
    • The secondary response is faster and larger, because memory cells from the first exposure are already present.
    • The secondary response is slower and smaller, because memory cells are destroyed after the first exposure.

  9. Which cells are described as producing a rapid secondary immune response on re-exposure to an antigen?

    • Phagocytes, which are formed only from red blood cells in the bone marrow.
    • Antigens, which are stored in the blood to cause a response later.
    • Lysozymes, which are secreted by all cells in the body continuously.
    • Memory cells, which are formed during the primary response.

  10. Which statement describes the role of antigen-presenting cells in the cellular response?

    • They kill infected cells directly by releasing perforin into the cell cytoplasm.
    • They display antigen fragments on their surface so that helper T cells can recognise them.
    • They produce memory cells that divide by meiosis to form plasma cells.
    • They secrete antibodies that bind to antigens and neutralise them in the blood.

  11. Which feature of B cells allows them to respond to a particular antigen?

    • Each B cell contains plasmids that code for antibodies against all antigens.
    • Each B cell produces every type of antibody at the same time all the time.
    • Each B cell has a surface receptor specific to one antigen shape.
    • Each B cell carries a cellulose cell wall that can recognise any antigen.

  12. A person has a high number of memory cells against a pathogen. What will happen if the pathogen re-enters the body?

    • A slow, small antibody response will occur, similar in speed to the first infection.
    • No response will occur because memory cells are only active in the primary response.
    • Only phagocytes will respond, because memory cells cannot make antibodies at all.
    • A rapid, large antibody response will be produced, usually before symptoms develop.

  13. Which statement best describes the sequence in an immune response to a foreign antigen?

    • Phagocytosis of the antigen, then production of memory cells, then no further immune responses.
    • Plasma cell production, then helper T cell formation, then destruction of memory cells by antibodies.
    • Antigen presentation, helper T cell activation, B cell clonal selection, then plasma and memory cell production.
    • B cell clonal selection, then helper T cell activation, then antigen presentation to phagocytes.

  14. A patient has a shortage of helper T cells. Which immune functions would be most directly reduced?

    • Transport of oxygen by haemoglobin in red blood cells.
    • Activation of cytotoxic T cells, B cells and phagocytes against foreign antigens.
    • Production of red blood cells from stem cells in the bone marrow.
    • Absorption of glucose across the membranes of cells in the ileum.

  15. A B cell is stimulated to produce plasma cells. What is the main function of these plasma cells?

    • To remember antigens so that a secondary response can begin later.
    • To present antigen fragments to helper T cells on their outer membrane.
    • To engulf and digest pathogens using lysozymes within their cytoplasm.
    • To secrete large quantities of specific antibodies into the blood and body fluids.

  16. Why are antibodies described as acting on antigens rather than directly killing all pathogens?

    • Antibodies enter pathogens and break their DNA down into individual nucleotides.
    • Antibodies dissolve the phospholipid membranes of pathogens and release their contents.
    • Antibodies convert pathogens into harmless glycogen by hydrolysis of their proteins.
    • Antibodies bind to specific antigens, which then leads to agglutination or phagocytosis of the pathogen.

  17. Which evidence would best support the claim that memory cells improve the speed of the immune response?

    • The concentration of antibody is the same on the second exposure as on the first.
    • The concentration of antibody falls to zero within a day of the second exposure.
    • The concentration of antibody rises only after the pathogen has been destroyed.
    • The concentration of antibody rises faster on the second exposure to the same pathogen than on the first.

  18. What do memory cells develop from once a B cell has been selected by a matching antigen?

    • Division of existing plasma cells into helper T cells once the antigen has been destroyed.
    • Meiosis of antigen-presenting cells, producing haploid lymphocytes that carry the antigen.
    • Conversion of phagocytes into antibodies that bind the antigen permanently in the blood.
    • Clonal division of the selected B cell, producing long-lived cells that remember the antigen.

  19. Which statement about helper T cells and B cells is correct?

    • Helper T cells and B cells produce antibodies at equal rates throughout every immune response.
    • Helper T cells kill B cells that have bound an antigen, which limits the production of antibodies.
    • B cells release chemical signals that stimulate helper T cells to kill infected body cells directly.
    • Helper T cells release chemical signals that stimulate B cells to divide and differentiate.

  20. A pathogen is coated with antibodies, and many pathogens are clumped together as a result. What is this process called?

    • Agglutination
    • Mitosis of the antigen-bearing cell into two identical cells
    • Hydrolysis of the antigen into glucose and amino acids
    • Osmosis of water into the pathogen through its membrane

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