A Level Biology Practice Exam

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What does clonal expansion refer to?

The creation of differentiated cells

The proliferation of antibody-producing cells

Clonal expansion refers to the process by which specific lymphocytes, such as B cells or T cells, multiply in response to an antigen. When a naïve B cell encounters an antigen that matches its specific receptor, it undergoes activation and starts to divide, producing a large number of identical daughter cells, or clones. These clones can differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies, or they can become memory cells that contribute to long-term immunity.

In the context of the immune response, this process is crucial because it amplifies the response to a particular pathogen by generating a large population of cells that can effectively target and eliminate the invading organism. This mechanism ensures that the body has a robust and faster response upon subsequent exposures to the same antigen.

The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of clonal expansion; they refer to different biological processes.

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The reduction of cell sizes

The formation of unresponsive cells

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