Paper I
2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) · 100 marks · 180 min

Question

A: B lymphocytes have immunological memory. R: Helper T lymphocytes help B lymphocytes make antibodies

  • a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  • c) A is true but R is false
  • b) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A
  • d) A is false but R is true
Qxviii1 marksMCQs

Answer

- [x] b) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A

Assertion is true: B lymphocytes do generate immunological memory (memory B cells persist after a primary response, mounting a faster/stronger response on re-exposure to the same antigen). Reason is true: Helper T lymphocytes do indeed help B lymphocytes produce antibodies, via CD40-CD40L interaction and cytokine secretion, essential for T-dependent antibody responses (class switching, affinity maturation). However, R does not explain A: the generation of B-cell immunological memory is a distinct phenomenon (related to the differentiation pathway of activated B cells into memory cells during the germinal centre reaction) from the separate fact that T-helper cells assist B cells in antibody production — helper T-cell assistance is necessary for an effective T-dependent antibody response generally, but it is not itself the direct explanation for why/how B cells specifically retain long-term immunological memory. Both statements are independently true but are not causally/explanatorily linked in the manner required for option (a).

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