antigenic variation a common strategy used by some viruses allows them to

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Test 7 science quizlet

1. Antigenic variation, a common strategy used by some viruses, allows them to:

A. Produce toxins
B. Evade the immune system
C. Survive outside a host
D. Replicate rapidly

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Antigenic variation is a strategy used by some viruses to evade the host's immune response. By constantly changing their surface antigens, viruses can avoid recognition and destruction by the immune system. This allows the virus to persist in the host and continue replicating, leading to prolonged infection and potential transmission to other hosts. Antigenic variation does not directly involve the production of toxins, survival outside a host, or rapid replication, making options A, C, and D incorrect in this context.

2. The Gram stain is a differential staining technique used to classify bacteria based on their cell wall composition. Gram-positive bacteria appear

A. Pink
B. Blue
C. Red
D. Purple

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Gram stain is a differential staining technique that categorizes bacteria into two groups based on their cell wall composition: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which retains the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure. Consequently, Gram-positive bacteria appear purple under the microscope after staining. On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria possess a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane that can be penetrated by the counterstain safranin, leading them to appear pink or red. Blue is not typically used to describe the color of bacteria in a Gram stain, making it an incorrect choice.

3. What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

A. Both are double-stranded.
B. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar.
C. RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil, while DNA contains thymine.
D. Both are identical molecules.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) Incorrect. DNA is double-stranded, but RNA is typically single-stranded. B) Correct. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, which lacks an oxygen atom on the 2' carbon of the sugar ring, while RNA contains ribose sugar, which has an additional hydroxyl group on the 2' carbon. C) Incorrect. RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil, while DNA contains thymine. D) Incorrect. DNA and RNA have distinct structures and functions, so they are not identical molecules.

4. Where does gas exchange occur in the human body?

A. Alveoli
B. Bronchi
C. Larynx
D. Pharynx

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alveoli. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs in the lungs. Oxygen from the air we breathe diffuses into the blood vessels surrounding the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. The bronchi, larynx, and pharynx are all part of the respiratory system but are not directly involved in gas exchange. The bronchi are airways that lead to the lungs, the larynx is the voice box, and the pharynx is the throat. These structures are important for breathing and vocalization but do not participate in the exchange of gases between the respiratory system and the circulatory system.

5. Which of the following correctly identifies a difference between the primary and secondary immune response?

A. In the secondary response, macrophages migrate to the lymph nodes to present the foreign microorganism to helper T lymphocytes.
B. The humoral immunity that characterizes the primary response is coordinated by B lymphocytes.
C. The primary response is quicker and more powerful than the secondary response.
D. Suppressor T cells are activated in the secondary response to prevent an overactive immune response.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The primary immune response is slower and less powerful compared to the secondary immune response. During the primary response, immune cells encounter the antigen for the first time, necessitating the activation and proliferation of specific immune cells. In contrast, the secondary response benefits from memory cells that quickly recognize the antigen, enabling a faster and more potent immune response. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. While macrophages play a role in presenting antigens to T cells, this is not a defining difference between primary and secondary responses. Humoral immunity involves B lymphocytes in both primary and secondary responses, so it does not differentiate the two. Suppressor T cells primarily function to regulate the immune response but are not a key factor distinguishing primary from secondary responses.