AQA GCSE Biology

Vaccination

AQA GCSE Biology revision on Vaccination. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    What is the primary biological function of introducing a small, inactive form of a pathogen into the body during vaccination?

    • A) To provide passive immunity
    • B) To stimulate antibody creation
    • C) To kill all existing bacteria
    • D) To prevent viral replication
    Show answer

    Answer: To stimulate antibody creation

    When an inactive pathogen is introduced, white blood cells recognise the antigens as foreign. This triggers the production of specific antibodies and memory cells, which provide long-term immunity against future infections by the same pathogen.

  2. Question 2

    Which specific type of white blood cell is primarily responsible for the rapid production of antibodies upon secondary exposure to a pathogen?

    Show answer

    Answer: lymphocytes

    Lymphocytes are the specific type of white blood cell that detect foreign antigens. During a secondary response, memory lymphocytes created by the initial vaccination allow for a much faster and more effective antibody production compared to the primary exposure.

  3. Question 3

    What is the primary mechanism by which herd immunity protects individuals who have not been vaccinated?

    • A) It stops the mutation of viruses
    • B) It lowers pathogen transmission
    • C) It directly kills the pathogen
    • D) It boosts natural white cells
    Show answer

    Answer: It lowers pathogen transmission

    When a large proportion of a population is vaccinated, the pathogen has fewer susceptible hosts to infect. This break in the chain of transmission protects those who are unvaccinated or cannot receive vaccines by reducing their likelihood of coming into contact with an infected person.

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