What Would Be a Primary Advantage of Using an Attenuated

question 54

Multiple Choice

What would be a primary advantage of using an attenuated agent rather than just a subunit of that agent for a vaccine?

• A) An attenuated agent strongly stimulates both the humoral AND cell-mediated adaptive immune response, giving the best comprehensive long-term protection available.
• B) There is no advantage. It's much more dangerous to use an attenuated agent over a subunit vaccine due to the possibility of reversion of the microbe to a pathogenic state.
• C) An attenuated agent strongly stimulates ONLY the antibody production (humoral response) of the adaptive immune system. This provides the best and strongest long-term protection.
• D) An attenuated agent strongly stimulates ONLY the cytotoxic T cell (CTL, cell-mediated) side of the adaptive immune system. This provides the best and strongest long-term protection.
• E) There is no advantage. If a subunit is used from that agent, all the T cells that are activated will make antibodies against that single antigen, causing a very strong response.

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Definitions:

Rough ER

A part of the endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached to its surface, involved in protein synthesis and folding.

Initiator tRNA

A specialized transfer RNA that is charged with the amino acid methionine in eukaryotes (or a formylmethionine in prokaryotes) and plays a crucial role in the initiation of protein synthesis.

Start Codon

The codon AUG, which signals the beginning of translation of messenger RNA. Compare with stop codon.

Assembly

The process of putting together various parts or elements to form a complete unit or system, often used in manufacturing and production contexts.