AIDS, Addiction Quiz - ICSE Class 12 Biology

Free practice quiz: AIDS, Addiction (ICSE Class 12 Biology). 52 multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations. Play online, no sign-up needed.

This ICSE Class 12 Biology practice quiz has 52 multiple-choice questions on AIDS, Addiction, and 52 of them come with an explanation. Try the 5 sample questions below (tap an option to check yourself), then play the full quiz online. No sign-up needed.

Sample questions

1. Which of the following bacterial toxins acts as a superantigen, leading to massive T-cell activation and cytokine storm, often associated with severe food poisoning?

   1. Tetanospasmin
   2. Cholera toxin
   3. Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1)
   4. Diphtheria toxin
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1)

   Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), produced by Staphylococcus aureus, is a potent superantigen. Superantigens bind to MHC class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and the Vβ chain of T-cell receptors, bypassing normal antigen presentation and leading to massive polyclonal T-cell activation and a cytokine storm, characteristic of toxic shock syndrome.

2. The phenomenon where a vaccine can provide indirect protection to unvaccinated individuals when a sufficiently high proportion of the population is immune is called:

   1. Acquired immunity
   2. Active immunization
   3. Herd immunity
   4. Passive immunization
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Herd immunity

   Herd immunity (or community immunity) occurs when a large percentage of a population is immune to an infectious disease, either through vaccination or previous infection. This makes the spread of the disease from person to person unlikely, thereby protecting individuals who are not immune (e.g., infants, immunocompromised individuals).

3. The inability of the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self antigens, leading to an attack on the body's own tissues, is the definition of:

   1. Immunodeficiency
   2. Hypersensitivity
   3. Autoimmunity
   4. Immunosuppression
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Autoimmunity

   Autoimmunity is a condition where the immune system loses its tolerance to self-antigens and mounts an immune response against the body's own cells and tissues. This can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases.

4. Immunological memory, which allows for a faster and stronger response upon re-exposure to an antigen, is primarily mediated by which type of lymphocytes?

   1. Plasma cells
   2. Regulatory T cells
   3. Memory B and T cells
   4. Dendritic cells
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Memory B and T cells

   Following an initial encounter with an antigen, a subset of activated B and T lymphocytes differentiate into long-lived memory cells. These memory cells are primed to recognize the specific antigen. Upon subsequent exposure, they rapidly proliferate and differentiate into effector cells, leading to a more potent and swift secondary immune response.

5. The ability of a pathogen to cause disease is known as its:

   1. Infectivity
   2. Pathogenicity
   3. Toxicity
   4. Virulence
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Pathogenicity

   Pathogenicity refers to the ability of a microorganism or pathogen to cause disease. Infectivity is the ability to enter and multiply in a host. Toxicity refers to the production of toxins. Virulence is the degree of pathogenicity, or the relative ability of a pathogen to cause disease.

More questions in this quiz

Answers and explanations are in the full quiz.

1. An autoimmune disease where antibodies are produced against acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue, is known as:
2. Which type of vaccine utilizes a weakened, but still living, form of the pathogen to elicit an immune response, providing strong and long-lasting immunity?
3. Carcinogenesis, the process by which normal cells become cancer cells, is often initiated by genetic mutations that affect genes controlling cell growth and division. A gene that, when mutated and overexpressed, promotes cell proliferation is known as a(n):
4. HIV primarily infects and destroys which type of immune cells, leading to a severe impairment of cell-mediated immunity?
5. Nicotine addiction is primarily mediated by its effects on the brain's reward system. Which neurotransmitter is critically involved in the pleasurable sensation associated with smoking, reinforcing the addictive behavior?
6. Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of a malignant tumor?
7. An individual is exposed to a specific virus and develops symptoms. Later, they are exposed to the same virus but do not develop symptoms. This indicates the development of:
8. Which class of antibody is the first to be produced during a primary immune response and is also found on the surface of B cells?
9. Which of the following is a DNA virus that causes a significant proportion of viral hepatitis cases and can lead to chronic infection, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma?
10. A key characteristic of cancer cells is their ability to evade apoptosis (programmed cell death). Mutations in which class of genes are frequently associated with this evasion?
11. Which of the following is a primary mode of transmission for Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
12. The uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal white blood cells, leading to bone marrow failure and increased susceptibility to infections, is characteristic of:
13. Opioid addiction is particularly dangerous due to the risk of overdose. Overdose can lead to respiratory depression and potentially death. Which receptor in the central nervous system is the primary target for opioids?
14. A person has a genetic predisposition to a certain disease, but the disease only manifests after exposure to a specific environmental factor. This interaction between genetic and environmental factors in disease development is known as:
15. Which of the following describes the primary mechanism of action of mRNA vaccines, such as those developed for COVID-19?
16. Cytokines are signaling molecules that play a crucial role in immune responses. Which cytokine is a key mediator of inflammation and is often elevated in chronic inflammatory diseases and certain cancers?
17. Certain bacteria, like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have evolved mechanisms to survive within host cells. Which cellular process do these bacteria often exploit to prevent their destruction by phagocytes?
18. The most common type of cancer worldwide, both in incidence and mortality, affecting both men and women, is:
19. Which type of vaccine is generally considered the safest for immunocompromised individuals because it cannot cause disease?
20. Herceptin (Trastuzumab) is a targeted therapy used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer. It targets the overexpression of which protein?
21. Which of the following is a common secondary infection associated with advanced HIV/AIDS, caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii?
22. Alcohol addiction affects various neurotransmitter systems, but chronic heavy drinking can lead to significant damage to which part of the brain, primarily responsible for coordination, balance, and motor control?
23. Which of the following is a characteristic of a benign tumor?
24. An individual's immune system fails to recognize and eliminate cancer cells, allowing them to proliferate. This failure of immune surveillance is often attributed to:
25. Which vaccine type uses a harmless carrier virus (like an adenovirus) to deliver genetic material for a specific antigen into host cells?
26. Which autoimmune disease is characterized by the production of antibodies against myelin basic protein and other components of the myelin sheath, leading to neurological deficits?
27. Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the most severe form of malaria, is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected:
28. Which of the following is a major virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae, contributing to its ability to cause pneumonia and meningitis?
29. Which type of immunity is present from birth and provides a general defense against pathogens, acting as the first line of defense?
30. The targeted killing of virus-infected cells or tumor cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is an example of:
31. Which of the following infectious agents is a prion, known for causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
32. A person who has recovered from a viral infection and is now immune to reinfection has developed:
33. Which type of vaccine uses a toxoid (inactivated toxin) from a bacterium to stimulate immunity against the harmful effects of the toxin, rather than the bacterium itself?
34. The process by which cancer cells detach from the primary tumor, invade blood or lymphatic vessels, and travel to distant sites to form secondary tumors is called:
35. Which autoimmune disease primarily affects the thyroid gland, leading to its destruction and hypothyroidism?
36. Which of the following is a major concern regarding the use of live-attenuated vaccines in immunocompromised individuals?
37. Which cellular component is targeted by antibiotics like penicillin to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis?
38. Which immune cells are primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
39. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of addiction?
40. In cancer therapy, immunotherapy aims to harness the patient's own immune system to fight cancer. Which of the following is a common mechanism of cancer immunotherapy?
41. Which antibody isotype is predominantly found in mucosal secretions like saliva, tears, and breast milk, providing passive immunity to newborns?
42. A disease caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which can lead to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and an increased risk of stomach cancer, is:
43. Which type of immune cell is responsible for recognizing and killing cells that are infected with viruses or are cancerous, by releasing cytotoxic substances?
44. A key difference between innate and adaptive immunity is that adaptive immunity:
45. Which of the following is a mechanism by which cancer cells can evade the immune system?
46. The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of:
47. Which of the following vaccines uses a killed version of the virus to induce immunity, making it generally safe for immunocompromised individuals?

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