It is generally observed that the children who had suffered from chicken-pox in their childhood may
(a) It is generally observed that the children who had suffered from chicken-pox in their childhood may not contract the same disease in their adulthood. Explain giving reasons the basis of such immunity in an individual. Name this kind of immunity.
(b) What are interferons? Mention their role.
1 Answers
(a) The first infection of checken pox produce a primary response and antibodies are generated against chicken poxvirus, subsequent encounter with the same virus elicits a highly intensified secondary response, due to the memory cells formed during the first encounter active immunity.
(b) Proteins secreted by virally infected cells, which protects non-infected cells from viral infection when α - interferon is given to cancer patient activates immune system, destroy a tumor.
Detailed:
(a) There are high chances that the people who have suffered from chickenpox in their childhood may not contract the disease again. This is due to acquired immunity which is characterised by memory. Acquired immunity is pathogen-specific.
when a pathogen for the first time infects a Person it precludes primary immune response which is of low intensive. When the same pathogen attacks again, highly intensified secondary (anamnestic) response is generated, thereby preventing the occurrence of oi disease.
(b) interferons are glyco - proteinaceous substances secreted by virus-infected dead animal cells. these interferons protect the non- infected cells from getting infected by inhibiting viral replication.