Immunity and vaccination | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Match each word to its meaning.

• toxin

• produced by some pathogens and make us feel unwell

• antigen

• produced by white blood cells to neutralise harmful chemicals

• antitoxin

• molecule found on the surface of all cells

• antibody

• produced by white blood cells and causes pathogens to clump together

Answer explanation

Antitoxins neutralise the toxins that make us feel unwell. Antibodies are produced by white blood cells in response to non-self antigens.

Which of the following is a key part of the immune system?

• brain

• red blood cells

• liver

• white blood cells

• heart

Answer explanation

White blood cells play an important role in protecting us against illness and infection. There are different types of white blood cells and they do different jobs.

Which of these do not help to protect us against pathogens?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Lymphocytes and phagocytes are white blood cells that are adapted to respond to pathogens. Platelets help to seal wounds. But red blood cells are adapted to transport oxygen, not to respond to pathogens.

Match each cell to what it does.

• pathogen

• can make specific antibodies that bind to antigens

• phagocyte

• infects the body and causes symptoms of illness

• lymphocyte

• can engulf and digest pathogens

Answer explanation

Lymphocytes and phagocytes (both types of white blood cell) work together to kill and remove harmful pathogens.

True or false? Antibodies are proteins.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Antibodies are proteins that are made in response to a specific antigen.