Immunity: past paper questions
Real questions on immunity
The newest 20 of 75 written questions, plus 107 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9700/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(ii)[3]
The production of monoclonal antibodies for treatment involves the formation of hybridoma cells from two different cell types. Name the two types of cell that fuse to form a hybridoma cell and explain why this fusion is necessary.
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2025 · Q6d(i)[2]
A child receives a vaccine for measles. Explain why only some of the T-lymphocytes in the child respond to the measles vaccine.
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2025 · Q6d(ii)[5]
Describe the events that occur in an immune response to a vaccine that result in lymphocytes that provide long-term immunity to measles.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[1]
The antibodies are attached to the beads so that the sites used for binding to specific molecules on the bone marrow stem cells are left exposed. Name the term given to the specific molecules on the bone marrow stem cells that attach to the antibody binding sites.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(i)[1]
Complete Fig. 6.4 to show the situation in the test well after step 5. Fig. 6.4
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(ii)[1]
With reference to Fig. 6.3, describe one difference between the capture antibody and the detection antibody.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · February/March 2025 · Q4a(ii)[3]
A person was given an injection to give protection against infectious disease E. The person had not previously been infected with disease E. 26 days later, a second injection to give protection against disease E was given. The concentration in the blood of the antibody specific to disease E was measured over a period o...
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · February/March 2025 · Q4b(i)[1]
State the type of immunity that results from the injection given as protection against disease F.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · February/March 2025 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Describe features of the type of immunity resulting from the injection given as protection against disease F. Question 4 continues on page 18.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Name the part of the monoclonal antibody that binds to the protein from the pathogen.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(iii)[2]
Saliva is added to a test strip to test for the presence of the protein secreted by the TB pathogen. Fig. 3.3 is a diagram showing some of the molecules in area 3 of the test strip when a positive result for TB is obtained. monoclonal antibody attached to a tiny gold particle protein secreted by the TB pathogen attache...
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(iv)[2]
Area 4 contains different immobilised antibodies to those in area 3. The mobile monoclonal antibodies bound to tiny gold particles will bind to these immobilised monoclonal antibodies in area 4. If the test has functioned correctly, a gold line will be visible in area 4. Suggest how the structure of immobilised monoclo...
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3c[3]
Vaccination is another way of reducing the transmission of infectious diseases such as TB. The BCG vaccine is used to help control the spread of TB. This vaccine contains a weakened strain of the pathogen that causes TB. The BCG vaccine stimulates the development of antigen-specific memory T-lymphocytes. Explain how me...
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3d(i)[1]
Name the process used by the tumour cells to take up the weakened pathogens.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · October/November 2024 · Q3d(ii)[3]
Suggest how antigen presentation by tumour cells stimulates an immune response that leads to the destruction of the tumour cells.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4f[1]
Cell type Y shown in Fig. 4.1 releases molecules with antigen binding sites. Name the molecules released by cell type Y.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4g[3]
The differentiation of T‑lymphocytes begins in the bone marrow and continues in an organ known as the thymus to produce fully differentiated T‑helper and T‑killer cells. In the thymus, T‑lymphocytes that bind to self antigens are destroyed. Explain why T‑lymphocytes that bind to self antigens need to be destroyed in th...
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(i)[1]
U4 and V4 are types of active T-lymphocyte. State the names given to these types of T-lymphocyte. U4
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(ii)[4]
Describe the roles of cells U4 and V4 in a primary immune response.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · May/June 2024 · Q6a(i)[2]
Explain how the structure of an antigen‑binding site makes it specific to a particular antigen, as shown in Fig. 6.1.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Strong responses used the terms primary immune response and secondary (immune) response to explain why the concentration of antibody was higher after the second injection. Most recognised the role of memory cells in achieving a faster production and a higher concentration of antibodies. Fewer noted that the secondary response developed from a higher starting number of specific lymphocytes or linke...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/22 Q4(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Not all responses fully identified the type of immunity by referring to passive and artificial.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/22 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Many responses recognised that an injection of antibodies would provide immediate immunity, and some went on to explain that this immunity would only be short term or temporary. Some answers included the idea that an immune response would not be involved and so there would be no production of memory cells.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/22 Q4(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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