With respect to vaccination against a particular infectious disease 'herd immunity' refers to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Herd immunity refers to the protection offered to non-immunized individuals when a high percentage of the population is immunized, preventing the pathogen from spreading easily. This is because when a large portion of the population is immune to a disease, it creates a barrier that reduces the overall transmission of the pathogen, thus protecting those who are not vaccinated or cannot be vaccinated. Choice A is incorrect because herd immunity is not solely about the total number of immunized individuals, but rather about the impact on the entire population. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to the efficacy of the vaccine in generating a protective response, not the concept of herd immunity. Choice D is incorrect as it relates to social influence rather than the collective protection provided by high rates of immunization.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because secondary lymphoid tissues are where both A and C processes occur. Naïve lymphocytes become activated in secondary lymphoid tissues through interactions with antigens, leading to their differentiation into effector cells. Somatic hypermutation also occurs in secondary lymphoid tissues, specifically in germinal centers of lymph nodes, leading to the generation of high-affinity antibodies. Option B, VDI gene rearrangement, does not occur in secondary lymphoid tissues; it is a process that happens in the primary lymphoid organs (bone marrow and thymus) during the development of lymphocytes. Thus, options A and C are correct, making the correct answer D.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because during clonal selection, lymphocytes specific to the pathogen are activated, leading to their proliferation and differentiation into effector cells. This results in an increase in the number of lymphocytes specific for the pathogen, enhancing the immune response. Choice B is incorrect because clonal selection does not involve the elimination of non-specific lymphocytes but rather the expansion of specific lymphocytes. Choice C is also incorrect because clonal selection does not change the antigen receptor specificities expressed by lymphocytes but instead focuses on expanding the population of lymphocytes with receptors specific to the pathogen. Therefore, the correct outcome of clonal selection is the increase in the number of lymphocytes specific for the pathogen that activated the response, making choice A the most accurate option.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all the options contribute to improving flu vaccines. A cytotoxic T cell response can help block viral spread, strain-specific neutralizing antibodies can prevent viral entry, and targeting less variable regions of HA with antibodies can improve recognition across strains. Each approach addresses different aspects of the immune response to enhance vaccine efficacy. Therefore, combining these strategies can lead to a more comprehensive and effective flu vaccine. Options A, B, and C alone are not sufficient as they only target specific aspects of the immune response, while option D encompasses a holistic approach for better vaccine success.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) kill target cells by recognizing specific peptide antigens presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. This recognition triggers the CTLs to release cytotoxic molecules that induce apoptosis in the target cells. Choice B is incorrect because CTLs do not die in the process of killing target cells; they survive to continue their immune response. Choice C is incorrect as CTLs do not kill target cells by activating complement, but rather through direct cell-cell contact. Choice D is incorrect because CTLs carry out their effector function in peripheral tissues where they encounter target cells, not specifically in secondary lymphoid tissues.