Understanding Immune Response: Self vs. Non-Self Recognition

Biology

Immunology

Medical Science

HIPAA

GDPR

Reviewed by Editorial Team

The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.

Learn about Our Editorial Process

| By Thames

Thames

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 11121 | Total Attempts: 9,754,405

| Attempts: 11 | Questions: 12 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025

Quiz Flashcard

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Share on Pinterest Share on Email Copy to Clipboard Embed on your website

Question 1 / 13

🏆 Rank #-- ▾

0 %

0/100

Score 0/100

1. Natural Killer cells are characterized by which of the following?

Express TCR but do not express other components of the TCR complex.

-derived from the lymphoid cell lineage but possess functional characteristics consistent with both innate and adaptive immune functions. -NK cells... -derived from the lymphoid cell lineage but possess functional characteristics consistent with both innate and adaptive immune functions. -NK cells do not express TCR but do express other components of the TCR complex (eg: some C3 subunits)-

Small lymphocytes with a smooth cytoplasmic surface.

Derived from myeloid cell lineage but possess functional characteristics consistent with both innate and adaptive immune functions.

Natural Killer cells are unique immune cells that are derived from the lymphoid cell lineage but exhibit traits of both innate and adaptive immunity. They do not express TCR but express other components of the TCR complex, illustrating their distinct role in the immune system.

Explanation

Submit

About This Quiz

Understanding Immune Response: Self Vs. Non-self Recognition - Quiz

Explore the complex process of self\/non-self discrimination crucial for immune response. This quiz assesses understanding of immunological principles, focusing on how the body distinguishes between its own cells and foreign entities. Essential for students and professionals in medical and biological sciences.

2. What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.

2. What is the role of Fc receptors on NK cells in driving ADCC?

Fc receptors on NK cells are responsible for producing antibodies against pathogens.

Fc receptors on NK cells recognize opsinizing antibody that coats pathogens of target cells.

Fc receptors on NK cells are involved in antigen presentation to T cells.

Fc receptors on NK cells directly bind to target cells to induce cell death.

Fc receptors on NK cells specifically recognize opsonizing antibodies bound to pathogens, leading to target cell destruction through ADCC.

Explanation

Fc receptors on NK cells specifically recognize opsonizing antibodies bound to pathogens, leading to target cell destruction through ADCC.

Submit

3. Fc receptor on NK cell can bind opsonizing antibody or circulating antibody (immunoglobulin).

-When complexed with antibody pulled from the circulating pool the NK cell will be pre-primed for recognition that is determined... -When complexed with antibody pulled from the circulating pool the NK cell will be pre-primed for recognition that is determined by the specificity of the circulating antibodies-active humoral responses will load NK cell with antibodies specific for the pathogen du jour.

Fc receptor on NK cell does not play any role in binding antibodies.

Fc receptor on NK cell can only bind circulating antibody but not opsonizing antibody.

Fc receptor on NK cell can only bind opsonizing antibody but not circulating antibody.

The Fc receptor on NK cells can indeed bind opsonizing antibodies as well as circulating antibodies, allowing the NK cells to be pre-primed for recognition and respond to specific pathogens.

Explanation

The Fc receptor on NK cells can indeed bind opsonizing antibodies as well as circulating antibodies, allowing the NK cells to be pre-primed for recognition and respond to specific pathogens.

Submit

4. What do Fc receptors bind to on immunoglobulins?

Fc receptors bind to the Fab domain of immunoglobulins

Fc receptors bind to the variable region of immunoglobulins

Fc receptors bind to the constant region of immunoglobulins

-most Fc receptors interact with a gamma subunit signaling partner that contains a cytoplasmic ITAM domain or with a gamma-like... -most Fc receptors interact with a gamma subunit signaling partner that contains a cytoplasmic ITAM domain or with a gamma-like subunit that contains an ITIM domain. -Immunoglobulin binding to Fc receptors with ITAM domain initiates activation of macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and NK cells (respiratory burst, secretion of lytic granule contents)-Fc receptors with ITIM or ITAM domains can act as endocytotic receptors, delivering antibody and associated antigen to endocytic compartments where antigen can be processed and presented on MHC

Fc receptors specifically bind to the Fc domain of immunoglobulins, not the variable region (Fab) or the constant region (CH) on immunoglobulins.

Explanation

Fc receptors specifically bind to the Fc domain of immunoglobulins, not the variable region (Fab) or the constant region (CH) on immunoglobulins.

Submit

5. How does the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) facilitate the transport of maternal immunoglobulins across the placenta to the fetus?

FcRn binds immunoglobulin at both low pH and high pH, making it ineffective in the transport of maternal immunoglobulins across... FcRn binds immunoglobulin at both low pH and high pH, making it ineffective in the transport of maternal immunoglobulins across the placenta.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binds immunoglobulin at high pH and releases at low pH, facilitating the transport of maternal... The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binds immunoglobulin at high pH and releases at low pH, facilitating the transport of maternal immunoglobulins.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) does not play a role in transporting maternal immunoglobulins across the placenta to the fetus.

The correct answer explains how the FcRn mechanism operates for the transport of maternal immunoglobulins, highlighting the importance of pH in this process.

Explanation

The correct answer explains how the FcRn mechanism operates for the transport of maternal immunoglobulins, highlighting the importance of pH in this process.

Submit

6. What mechanism salvages immunoglobulin from the circulation and delivers secretory antibodies across the lung epithelia?

The coagulation cascade

The complement system

The H1N1 virus

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is responsible for salvaging immunoglobulin from the circulation and delivering secretory antibodies across the lung epithelia.

Explanation

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is responsible for salvaging immunoglobulin from the circulation and delivering secretory antibodies across the lung epithelia.

Submit

7. What do NK cells kill that CD8+ T cells cannot?

Virus-infected cells

Parasites

Bacteria

NK cell Killer activity is held in check by the balance of signaling through activating receptors (CD3_, FcR, CD28) that... NK cell Killer activity is held in check by the balance of signaling through activating receptors (CD3_, FcR, CD28) that interact with immunoglobulins of other ligands (B7) and inhibitory receptors (KIR) that interact with MHC

NK cells are known for their ability to kill virus-infected cells, tumor cells, as well as aberrant cells, without prior sensitization, which is a function that CD8+ T cells cannot accomplish.

Explanation

NK cells are known for their ability to kill virus-infected cells, tumor cells, as well as aberrant cells, without prior sensitization, which is a function that CD8+ T cells cannot accomplish.

Submit

8. NK cells recognize and kill target cells that are considered 'altered self' because they no longer present MHC-I on their surface.

NK cells recognize altered self based on the absence of MHC-II on target cells.

NK cells recognize altered self based on the expression of CD4 on target cells.

-Usually altered self if detected by absence of MHC-I (viral inihibition of TAP, Oncogenic transformation), which normally provides an inhibitory... -Usually altered self if detected by absence of MHC-I (viral inihibition of TAP, Oncogenic transformation), which normally provides an inhibitory signal to the NK cell.

NK cells recognize altered self based on the presence of MHC-I on target cells.

NK cells recognize and kill target cells that are considered 'altered self' due to the absence of MHC-I, which normally provides an inhibitory signal to the NK cells. The absence of MHC-I is a key factor in distinguishing altered self from healthy cells.

Explanation

Submit

9. What are the two steps involved in thymic selection?

1. Positive selection for thymocytes that express rearranged TCRs that bind self-peptides presented by self-MHC on medullary epithelial cells. 2.... 1. Positive selection for thymocytes that express rearranged TCRs that bind self-peptides presented by self-MHC on medullary epithelial cells. 2. Negative selection for thymocytes expressing rearranged TCRs that bind self-MHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells.

1. Positive selection for thymocytes expressing rearranged TCRs that bind self-MHC (presenting self-peptide) on cortical thymic epithelial cells. Cells that... 1. Positive selection for thymocytes expressing rearranged TCRs that bind self-MHC (presenting self-peptide) on cortical thymic epithelial cells. Cells that can interact with MHC survive, those that can't apoptose; a postivie survival signal. Commitment to CD4 or CD8 espression. 2. Negative selection for thymocytes that express rearranged TCRs that bind self-peptides presented by self-MHC on medullary epithelial cells (AIRE transcription factor, autoimmune regulator), macrophages, or marrow-derived dendritic cells. Cells that interact weakly are matured, naive CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells.

1. Positive selection for thymocytes expressing rearranged TCRs that do not bind self-MHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells. 2. Negative... 1. Positive selection for thymocytes expressing rearranged TCRs that do not bind self-MHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells. 2. Negative selection for thymocytes that express rearranged TCRs that bind self-peptides presented by self-MHC on medullary epithelial cells, macrophages, or dendritic cells.

1. Negative selection for thymocytes expressing rearranged TCRs that bind self-MHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells. 2. Positive selection for... 1. Negative selection for thymocytes expressing rearranged TCRs that bind self-MHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells. 2. Positive selection for thymocytes that express rearranged TCRs that bind self-peptides presented by self-MHC on medullary epithelial cells, macrophages, or dendritic cells.

Thymic selection involves the two-step process of positive selection for thymocytes that can interact with self-MHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells and negative selection for thymocytes that bind self-peptides presented by self-MHC on medullary epithelial cells, macrophages, or dendritic cells.

Explanation

Submit

10. What is the goldilocks model?

Thymocytes expressing TCRs that interact weakly are eliminated through apoptosis

Thymocytes expressing TCRs that interact strongly with self-peptides presented by self-MHC are selected to become natural killer cells

Thymocytes expressing TCRs that do not interact with self-peptides presented by self-MHC are selected to become B cells

1. thymocytes expressing TCRs that interact weakly or not at all with self-peptides presented by self-MHC pass out of the... 1. thymocytes expressing TCRs that interact weakly or not at all with self-peptides presented by self-MHC pass out of the thymus as CD4+ or CD8+2. thymocytes expressing TCRs that interact with intermediate strength with self-peptides presented by self-MHC are selected to become Treg cells

Submit

11. What are three contributing factors that generate peripheral tolerance of T cells?

3. Treg cells activate anti-self responses by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma).

2. Self-peptides recognized by TCRs may trigger excessive production of DAG, leading to increased MEK/ERK signaling.

1. Bacterial peptides recognized by TCRs may activate T-cell anergy.

1. the peptides are recognized by TCRs that interact with self-peptides on self-MHC may be sequestered in immunoprivileged tissues. 2.... 1. the peptides are recognized by TCRs that interact with self-peptides on self-MHC may be sequestered in immunoprivileged tissues. 2. self-peptides recognized by TCRs may elicit T-cell anergy because the self peptide is not present in the context of an inflammatory response where essential activating co-receptors are also expressed. T-cell anergy results from decreased DAG production, perhaps through reduced PI-PLC levels, and from subsequent reductions in MEK/ERK signaling through Ras, which leads to lower growth signals. 3. Treg cells supress anti-self responses. Treg cells can recognize self-peptides presented by self-MHC on antigen presenting cells and, in response, secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-b) that inactivate the APC and also inhibit T cell responses.

Peripheral tolerance of T cells is crucial to prevent autoimmune reactions. The correct contributing factors involve sequestration of self-peptides, induction of T-cell anergy through lack of inflammatory response, and suppression of anti-self responses by Treg cells. The incorrect answers provided do not align with the mechanisms described in central and peripheral tolerance processes.

Explanation

Submit

12. Where does central tolerance of B cells expressing BCRs that strongly recognize self occur?

Central tolerance of B cells expressing BCRs that strongly recognize self occurs in the spleen.

Central tolerance of B cells expressing BCRs that strongly recognize self occurs in the lymph nodes.

Central tolerance of B cells expressing BCRs that strongly recognize self occurs in the thymus.

1. B-cell tolerance is inherent in the generation of T-cell tolerance since a lack of Th cells with self-peptide specificity... 1. B-cell tolerance is inherent in the generation of T-cell tolerance since a lack of Th cells with self-peptide specificity ensures that B cells with similar specificity cannot be activated. 2. B-cell tolerance is also achieved by B-cell anergy. B-cell anergy can be induced by an appropriate level of BCR signaling (Goldilocks). Strong Signaling induced by a multivalent binding of self-antigen to BCR results in B-cell death. Intermediate signaling by soluble, self-antigen that may induce moderate BCR cross-linking generates an anergic response due to lack of co-stimulatory Th input. 3. B-cell anergy results from altered signaling very early in the BCR signaling cascade (perhaps through altered CD22-SHP1 function)

Central tolerance of B cells expressing BCRs that strongly recognize self occurs in the bone marrow due to various mechanisms such as T-cell tolerance generation and B-cell anergy. This process helps in preventing autoimmunity by eliminating or rendering self-reactive B cells unresponsive.

Explanation

Submit