Answers to Continuous Evaluation New Biology — a modern

approach

20 Defence against diseases

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Answers to Continuous Evaluation New Biology — a modern
approach

Class Practice

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Answers to Continuous Evaluation New Biology — a modern
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20.1 What is a disease?

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1. F
2. T
3. F
4. F

20.2 Body defence

Column P Column Q Column R
Non-specific defence ● ● First line of defence ● ● by white blood cells
Specific defence ● ● Second line of defence● ● by immune system
● Last line of defence ● ● by natural barriers

20.3 Non-specific defences

A. Part of the body Substance(s) produced

1. Sebaceous glands sebum
2. Eyes tears
3. Mouth saliva
4. Stomach gastric juice
5. Vagina acid

B. 1. F
2. T
3. F
4. T
C. 1. A
2. D
3. B
4. B

20.4 Specific defences

A. 1. F
2. C
3. G
4. B
5. E
6. D
7. A
B. 1. B
2. D

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Answers to Continuous Evaluation New Biology — a modern
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3. A

20.5 Immunity and vaccination

1. T
2. F
3. F
4. F
5. T

Exam Practice
A. Multiple Choice Questions
1. C
2. A
3. D
4. C
5. C
6. B
7. C
8. C
9. B
10. B

B. Structured Questions
1. (a)

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Answers to Continuous Evaluation New Biology — a modern
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(b) A vaccine is made from dead or weakened pathogens. When a vaccine is

administered to a person, it causes the body to produce its own antibodies.
(c) After the first injection, antigens from the dead or weakened pathogens in the
vaccine stimulate the lymphocytes to produce antibodies. Afterwards, the antigens
are memorised by the memory cells. Subsequent exposure to the same type of
antigen will initiate rapid production of a large amount of antibodies specific to
that antigen. The higher concentration of antibodies produced is maintained for a
longer period of time.

2. (a) 5 weeks
(b)

antibody level in
blood immune response
(arbitrary units) no immune response

time (weeks)

1st injection 2nd injection

(c) 1st injection 2nd injection

- Antibodies are not produced - Antibodies are produced

immediately/rapidly. immediately/rapidly.

- A small amount of antibody are - A larger amount of antibodies are

produced. produced.
- The concentration of antibody drops - The higher concentration of antibody
shortly after the injection. produced lasts longer.
(Any two) (Any two)

(d) give a booster injection

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Answers to Continuous Evaluation New Biology — a modern
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3. (a) (i) cilia

(ii) The cilia can sweep the mucus and pathogens upwards.
(b) (i) through the mouth/the food eaten
through the skin/the wounds
(ii) Gastric juice in the stomach contains acid which kills the pathogen.
Clotting of blood and phagocytosis prevent the pathogens from getting into
the body.
4. (a) It is the non-specific defence mechanism.
The mucus in respiratory tract traps the virus which is wafted away by the cilia.
The phagocytes engulf the virus.
(b) through contact/inhaling droplets from coughs or sneezes
(c) It is because the antibody level for acting against the specific type of virus is still
high in his father’s body. The virus will be removed quickly and the disease cannot
develop again.
(d) It is because the virus causing the common cold of another type.
The action of the antibody is specific and so the antibody against the previous virus
cannot combat the now one.
(e) - build up good body resistance against disease through a balanced diet and regular
exercise.
- maintain good personal hygiene. (Any other reasonable answers)

C. STS Connections
1. (a) Non-specific defence. Phagocytes.
(b) Saliva in the mouth cavity contains lysozymes for destroying a small proportion of
the bacteria.
The stomach secretes acid for killing the bacteria.
(c) The statement is correct. Antibiotics are effective only on bacteria but not on
viruses.
(d) - Wash hand thoroughly before handling food, eating and after going to the toilet.
- Maintain good indoor ventilation.
- Cook food (especially seafood and shellfish) thoroughly.
(any other reasonable answers)
2. (a) The antigens in the fluid stimulate the lymphocytes to produce antibodies to act
against the pathogens but the speed of production and level of antibodies were low.
Hence, the boy caught the disease. After some time, the level of antibodies was
high enough to eliminate the pathogen.
(b) The antigens of the pathogens for smallpox are similar to those of cowpox. The
lymphocytes have a memory for the antigens of cowpox. As a result, the
lymphocytes are stimulated to produce antibodies quickly and to a very high level

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Answers to Continuous Evaluation New Biology — a modern
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so as to eliminate all the pathogens.

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