Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
Name the protein that makes the outer layer of skin almost impermeable to germs.
Answer
Keratin
Question
How do hairs in the nostrils protect the body from infection?
Answer
They trap dust particles that contain germs.
Question
Which slimy secretion of the epithelial lining traps bacteria in the nasal passage and windpipe?
Answer
Mucus
Question
What is the function of cilia in the windpipe?
Answer
To throw out bacteria trapped in the mucus.
Question
Name the germ-killing acid secreted by the stomach.
Answer
$HCl$ (Hydrochloric acid)
Question
List three germ-killing secretions produced by the body's local defence system.
Answer
Saliva, sweat, and tears (or nasal secretions).
Question
Define 'diapedesis' regarding white blood cells.
Answer
The process by which WBCs squeeze through the walls of blood capillaries.
Question
The process of white blood cells engulfing and destroying bacteria is called _____.
Answer
Phagocytosis
Question
What are the three main components of pus found in a wound?
Answer
Destroyed germs, killed WBCs, and damaged tissue cells.
Question
State three merits of the local defence systems.
Answer
They start working instantaneously, are not dependent on previous exposure, and are effective against a wide range of agents.
Question
Define 'immunity' in a biological context.
Answer
The capacity of the body to deal with foreign substances and render them harmless.
Question
Immunity that is present by virtue of genetic constitutional make-up is called _____ immunity.
Answer
Innate (natural or native)
Question
What is 'genetic resistance' in the context of innate immunity?
Answer
Natural resistance to a particular kind of germ found only in certain populations or species.
Question
Define 'acquired immunity'.
Answer
Resistance to a disease which an individual acquires during their lifetime.
Question
What is the primary difference between active and passive acquired immunity?
Answer
Active immunity is produced by the person's own body, while passive immunity is received from an outside source.
Question
A person having suffered from measles will not normally suffer from it again due to _____ immunity.
Answer
Naturally acquired active immunity
Question
Providing immunity through the administration of vaccines leads to _____ immunity.
Answer
Artificially acquired active immunity
Question
How does a foetus receive naturally acquired passive immunity?
Answer
Through the mother's antibodies reaching the foetus via the placenta.
Question
What is 'artificially acquired passive immunity'?
Answer
Resistance provided by injecting ready-made antibodies produced in the blood of another animal.
Question
Treatment for a snake bite using anti-venin is an example of _____ immunity.
Answer
Artificially acquired passive immunity
Question
What class of chemicals do antibodies belong to?
Answer
Proteins (specifically immunoglobulins).
Question
Which specialised cells produce antibodies upon exposure to antigens?
Answer
Lymphocytes
Question
Where do lymphocytes particularly concentrate within the body?
Answer
Lymph nodes and the spleen.
Question
What does it mean for an antibody to be 'specific'?
Answer
It means one kind of antibody acts against only one particular type of antigen.
Question
Which type of acquired immunity provides immediate but temporary protection?
Answer
Passive immunity
Question
Which type of acquired immunity is long-lasting but requires a time gap to become effective?
Answer
Active immunity
Question
Define 'prophylaxis'.
Answer
The scientific practice of artificially introducing germs to develop resistance to diseases.
Question
What is a 'vaccine'?
Answer
The material (dead or weakened germs) introduced into the body to stimulate immunity.
Question
Which vaccine category involves using killed germs?
Answer
Category 1 (e.g., TAB vaccine for typhoid or Salk's vaccine for poliomyelitis).
Question
The BCG vaccine is an example of which vaccine category?
Answer
Living weakened germs
Question
What does the abbreviation BCG stand for?
Answer
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
Question
Define 'toxoids' in the context of immunisation.
Answer
Inactivated toxins secreted by bacteria that are made harmless but retain the capacity to produce antibodies.
Question
Name two diseases for which toxoids are used as vaccines.
Answer
Diphtheria and Tetanus.
Question
What is the full form of the DPT vaccine?
Answer
Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus.
Question
At what age is the first dose of the Measles vaccine typically administered in India?
Answer
9-15 months
Question
Define an 'antitoxin'.
Answer
A chemical substance produced inside the body in response to the entry of foreign poisonous substances.
Question
Define 'antiseptics'.
Answer
Mild chemical substances applied to the body that kill germs without harming skin or tissues.
Question
List three examples of common antiseptics.
Answer
Iodine, boric acid, and benzoic acid (or lysol/carbolic acid in mild concentrations).
Question
Define 'disinfectants'.
Answer
Strong chemical substances applied to spots and places to kill germs, which may cause harm to skin.
Question
List three examples of common disinfectants.
Answer
Cresol, phenol (40\% formalin), and bordeaux mixture.
Question
What are considered 'physical disinfectants'?
Answer
Strong heat and boiling.
Question
Define 'antibiotics'.
Answer
Chemical substances produced by microorganisms that can kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms.
Question
Who discovered the first antibiotic, Penicillin, and in what year?
Answer
Alexander Fleming in 1929.
Question
Name the specific bacterium Fleming was studying when he discovered Penicillin.
Answer
$\textit{Staphylococcus}$
Question
Which mould is the source of commercial penicillin production today?
Answer
$\textit{Penicillium chrysogenum}$
Question
From which bacterium is the antibiotic Streptomycin obtained?
Answer
$\textit{Streptomyces}$
Question
List four uses of antibiotics.
Answer
Fighting infections, food preservation, treating animal feed, and controlling plant pathogens.
Question
How does Penicillin kill bacteria?
Answer
It interferes with bacterial cell wall formation.
Question
How does Streptomycin kill bacteria?
Answer
It binds to bacterial ribosomes, preventing the synthesis of proteins.
Question
What is 'chemotherapy'?
Answer
The treatment of disease by the use of chemical substances.
Question
What was the name of the arsenic-based drug produced in 1910 to treat syphilis?
Answer
Salvarsan
Question
What are 'sulphonamides'?
Answer
A group of synthetic drugs that interfere with the metabolism of bacteria.
Question
What does the acronym AIDS stand for?
Answer
Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
Question
Which virus causes AIDS?
Answer
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Question
How does the HIV virus affect the immune system?
Answer
It attacks and reduces the T-cells of the thymus, leading to a collapse of immunity.
Question
List three methods by which HIV is transmitted.
Answer
Sexual contact, contaminated syringe needles, and blood transfusions.
Question
What is the term for a blood serum protein produced in response to injected antigens?
Answer
Antibody
Question
Which mechanical barrier prevents the entry of germs into the body at the site of a cut?
Answer
Blood clotting
Question
The TAB vaccine provides protection against which disease?
Answer
Typhoid
Question
Which vaccine is administered orally as drops?
Answer
Polio vaccine