Microbiology Practice Exam

What type of immune response involves antibodies?

1. Cell-mediated immunity

2. Humoral immunity

3. Innate immunity

4. Aquired immunity

The correct answer is: Humoral immunity

Humoral immunity is the type of immune response that specifically involves antibodies. These antibodies are proteins produced by B cells in response to antigens, which are substances recognized as foreign to the body, such as pathogens or toxins. The primary role of antibodies in humoral immunity is to recognize and bind to these antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or neutralizing their harmful effects directly. This process is crucial as it provides the body with specific defense mechanisms against pathogens circulating in the bloodstream and other body fluids. Humoral immunity is particularly effective against extracellular pathogens, as the antibodies can opsonize these invaders, enhancing their uptake and destruction by phagocytic cells. In contrast, cell-mediated immunity involves T cells and does not directly rely on antibodies. Innate immunity refers to the non-specific first line of defense that the body has against pathogens, involving barriers and immune cells that respond quickly but without the specificity of antibodies. Acquired immunity, while it can refer to both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, more broadly encompasses the adaptive immune response that develops over time and involves memory cells. However, when focusing specifically on the role of antibodies, humoral immunity is the more accurate answer.