What is the primary role of phagocytosis in innate immunity?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The primary role of phagocytosis in innate immunity is to engulf and digest pathogens. Phagocytes such as macrophages and neutrophils recognize and engulf bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances to prevent infections. They digest these pathogens using enzymes and destroy them. This process is crucial in the initial defense against infections. Option A is incorrect because phagocytosis primarily targets pathogens, not cancer cells. Option C is incorrect because producing antibodies is a function of adaptive immunity, not innate immunity. Option D is incorrect because activating complement proteins is a separate mechanism in the immune response.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clonal selection. During clonal selection, a specific lymphocyte recognizes its specific antigen, binds to it, and undergoes proliferation to generate a large population of identical cells to combat the antigen efficiently. This process ensures an effective immune response. Incorrect choices: A: Clonal deletion - This process involves the elimination of self-reactive lymphocytes to prevent autoimmunity, not the proliferation of antigen-specific lymphocytes. C: Antigen presentation - This is the process by which antigens are displayed to immune cells for recognition, not the proliferation of lymphocytes. D: Cytokine signaling - While cytokines play a role in immune responses, they are not directly involved in the proliferation of lymphocytes in response to specific antigens.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: IgG. IgG is the most abundant antibody isotype in circulation, constituting about 75% of total antibodies. This is because IgG is produced during secondary immune responses and has a longer half-life compared to other isotypes, allowing it to accumulate in circulation. IgA is mainly found in mucosal surfaces, IgE is associated with allergic reactions, and IgM is the first antibody produced in a primary immune response. Therefore, IgG is the most abundant in circulation due to its longevity and role in secondary immune responses.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bone marrow. B cells mature in the bone marrow where they develop from hematopoietic stem cells. This process involves gene rearrangement and selection for self-tolerance. The bone marrow provides a microenvironment necessary for B cell development. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the thymus is where T cells mature, the spleen is involved in immune responses but not B cell maturation, and lymph nodes are sites for immune cell activation and proliferation but not B cell maturation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The lag phase of the primary antibody response refers to the time it takes for the immune system to generate specific antibodies after initial exposure to an antigen. The correct answer is B (5-10 days) because during this period, B cells are activated, undergo proliferation, differentiate into plasma cells, and start producing antibodies. This process takes time as the immune system needs to recognize the antigen, mount a response, and produce sufficient antibodies. Option A (1-3 days) is too short for the full activation and differentiation of B cells. Option C (10-15 days) is too long for the typical lag phase duration. Option D (No lag phase) is incorrect because there is always a lag phase before the peak antibody production in the primary immune response.