Question

Which of the following statements is a false statement about the secondary immune response?

a.) the secondary immune response produces less antibodies compared to the primary immune response

b.) the secondary immune response is a targeted response to a specific pathogen

c.) the secondary immune response is part of the adaptive immune system

d.) the secondary immune response is faster acting in the presence of a pathogen compared to the primary immune response

e.) all of the answer choices are correct statements about the secondary immune response, none are false

Answer 1

Ans. Let us examine the statement given in the answer choices and see whether they are true or false with respect to a secondary immune response:

a) the secondary immune response produces less antibodies compared to the primary immune response - In the secondary immune response the quantity of antibodies produced is nearly 100-1000 times more as compared to that produced by the primary immune response.This is because secondary immune responses are always triggered when it comes in contact with the antigen for the second and subsequent times.The memory cells containing the antibody to a specific pathogen gets stored in the body during the primary response and each time the same pathogen attacks the body,the secondary immune response will trigger with much quicker pace and efficiency due to the pathogen specific antibodies present in the memory cells that is saved in the body after the primary response.

Thus the above statement is False, and hence the answer.

b) the secondary immune response is a targeted response to a specific pathogen - Secondary immune response occurs only when a person is exposed to the same pathogen for the second and subsequent times.This is because when a person is exposed to a specific pathogen,the primary immune response fights this pathogen by producing the antibodies and during this process it leaves a copy of the pathogen specific antibody in the memory cells which is stored in the body. Only when the person is exposed to the same pathogen for the second time,the secondary immune response will occur and with the help of the pathogen specific antibodies stored in the memory cells, it responds much quicker and in a more efficient manner.

Thus, the above statement is True and hence cannot be the answer.

c) the secondary immune response is part of the adaptive immune system - A part of the immune system that is composed of systemic and specialized cells and processes that fights pathogens is called as an adaptive immune system.It provides with enhanced response to subsequent pathogen attacks by creating an immunological memory after the initial immune response to a specif pathogen.Secondary immune response,which is a targeted response to a specific pathogen and occurs after the second and subsequent attack of the same pathogen, forms a part of the adaptive immune system.

Thus, the above statement is True and hence cannot be the answer.

d) the secondary immune response is faster acting in the presence of a pathogen compared to the primary immune response - The secondary immune response is stronger than a primary immune response,because of the presence of memory cells with the antibodies that are specific to that pathogen,left after the primary immune response. Due to the memory cells,the secondary immune response is much quicker and efficient than a primary immune response.

Thus, the above statement is True and hence cannot be the answer.

e) all of the answer choices are correct statements about the secondary immune response, none are false- This cannot be the answer as, the choice option (a) is not a correct statement.

Hence ,the answer is a) the secondary immune response produces less antibodies compared to the primary immune response, which is a false statement about the secondary immune response