Edexcel GCSE Biology

Vaccination

Edexcel GCSE Biology revision on Vaccination. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    What primary biological component is contained within a vaccine to trigger an immune response?

    • A) Active white blood cells
    • B) Dead or inactive pathogens
    • C) Strong antibiotics for cells
    • D) Pure chemical antibodies
    Show answer

    Answer: Dead or inactive pathogens

    Vaccines contain a small, modified version of the pathogen that cannot cause the disease. This allows the immune system to recognise the antigens and produce specific antibodies without the patient becoming ill.

  2. Question 2

    Which specific type of cell is responsible for the rapid production of antibodies upon re-exposure to a pathogen?

    • A) Phagocytic memory cells
    • B) Memory lymphocyte cells
    • C) Red blood cell carriers
    • D) Inactive platelet cells
    Show answer

    Answer: Memory lymphocyte cells

    When a person is vaccinated, white blood cells called lymphocytes produce specific antibodies. Some of these remain as memory cells, which can divide rapidly to produce high levels of antibodies if the actual pathogen enters the body again.

  3. Question 3

    Why does a high uptake of vaccines within a population help to protect those who are not immune?

    • A) It increases antibiotic resistance
    • B) It reduces the pathogen spread
    • C) It boosts natural immunity levels
    • D) It creates new white blood cells
    Show answer

    Answer: It reduces the pathogen spread

    When a large proportion of the population is vaccinated, the pathogen has fewer people to infect, making it harder for the disease to transmit. This indirect protection saves those who cannot be vaccinated, such as individuals with compromised immune systems.

Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?

22 more questions on Vaccination — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Biology spec.

Start a free session → Already have an account? Log in

More Edexcel Biology topics