CourseCourseConceptConceptDocumentDocument

CAIE A-Level Biology AS 11.2 Antibodies and Vaccination Questions

Practise how antibody structure enables specific binding, how hybridomas produce monoclonal antibodies, and how vaccination builds protection at individual and population levels.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Biology 9700
Level
AS

Exam points

  • Relate variable-region shape to antigen specificity and hinge flexibility to antibody binding.
  • Sequence hybridoma production from antigen exposure and B-cell fusion through screening and cloning.
  • Explain how monoclonal antibodies detect disease or target treatment to specific cells or antigens.
  • Classify immunity as active or passive and natural or artificial using vaccination or antibody transfer.
  • Explain how vaccine antigens trigger memory cells and long-term protection against later infection.
  • Discuss programme success using coverage, herd immunity, access, funding and pathogen variation.

Covered syllabus points

11.2.1—Antibody molecular structure and functions11.2.2—Hybridoma method11.2.3—Monoclonal antibody uses11.2.4—Types of immunity11.2.5—Vaccines11.2.6—Vaccination programmes

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Which statement about the properties of the antigen-binding sites in different antibody molecules is correct?

A

They are located on the light chains only.

B

They have a hinge region to give flexibility for different antigens.

C

They have binding sites for receptors on phagocytes.

D

They have variable amino acid sequences for different antigens.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows a stage in monoclonal antibody production.

Figure for Question 2 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS
A

T-lymphocytes

B

B-lymphocytes

C

antigens

D

antibodies

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

Monoclonal antibodies are now being used to treat some human diseases.
What explains why monoclonal antibodies are suitable for this purpose?

1 They can divide by mitosis to produce the large numbers of antibodies required for treatment.

2 They are specific to a particular antigen.
3 They can be modified so that they do not act as antigens themselves.

A

1, 2 and 3

B

1 only

C

2 and 3 only

D

2 only

All question bank results loaded