Defensins are

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that play a crucial role in the innate immune system by disrupting the microbial cell membrane. This property allows them to kill a wide range of pathogens. Option A is correct because it accurately describes the primary function of defensins. Option B, opsonins, are proteins that enhance phagocytosis but are not specific to defensins. Option C, DAMPs, are damage-associated molecular patterns released by damaged cells and are not related to defensins. Option D, fatty acids, are not directly related to the antimicrobial properties of defensins.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because avian flu recognizing a variant of sialic acid only found deep in the lung tissue of humans, not in the upper airways explains why it has not caused a human pandemic. This specificity limits human-to-human transmission as the virus cannot efficiently attach in the upper airways where respiratory droplets are expelled. Choices A and B are incorrect because avian flu can cause severe infections in humans and recognizes a variant of sialic acid found in both birds and humans, not just avian cells. Choice D is incorrect as the presence of H5N1 in the annual trivalent vaccine does not prevent human pandemic potential.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because molecules in the immunoglobulin superfamily typically contain one or more protein domains with a compact barrel structure. This structure is characteristic of immunoglobulin-like domains found in proteins involved in immune responses. Choice B is incorrect because not all members of the immunoglobulin superfamily are lymphocyte antigen receptors. Choice C is incorrect as these molecules are not necessarily highly unstable compared to other proteins. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it accurately describes a common structural feature of molecules in the immunoglobulin superfamily.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. MHC class I proteins bind to peptides from proteins made inside the cell and present them to CD8+ Tc cells. This statement is correct because MHC class I proteins are responsible for presenting endogenous peptides, derived from proteins synthesized within the cell, to CD8+ Tc cells for immune surveillance and response. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: - A is incorrect because MHC class I proteins present endogenous peptides, not peptides from proteins taken up from outside the cell. - C is incorrect because MHC class I proteins present antigens to CD8+ Tc cells, not CD4+ Th cells. - D is incorrect because MHC class I proteins present peptides to CD8+ Tc cells, not CD4+ Th cells.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Memory T cells, compared to naïve T cells, take less time to become activated as they have previously encountered the antigen. They also have less need for costimulation during activation due to their enhanced sensitivity. Furthermore, memory T cells have a much longer life span, allowing for a more rapid and robust immune response upon re-exposure to the antigen. Therefore, all of the statements in choices A, B, and C are correct, making option D the correct answer.