Reference no: EM133191539 , Length: Word Count: 2 Pages

Assignment - Answer the following questions

Q1. Define each of the following and give an example of each.

A) Naturally Acquired Active Immunity

B) Artificially Acquired Active Immunity

C) Naturally Acquired Passive Immunity

D) Artificially Acquired Passive Immunity

"Human antibodies are relatively large and Y-shaped, and they target a part of the influenza virus that tends to change rapidly as it mutates into different strains. That is one reason our existing flu vaccines don't work that well. As the virus mutates, it becomes less recognizable to our antibodies.

The antibodies produced by llamas and alpacas are different. They are smaller and straighter, and can target parts of viruses that human antibodies physically can't reach.

In a research study, doctors gave llamas a multivalent flu vaccine containing 4 flu viruses. The llamas reacted by making four different antibodies-two that targeted influenza A and two that targeted influenza B.

The researchers then "tethered" those four antibodies together to make a kind of super-antibody, which test-tube studies showed were effective at preventing 60 different flu strains.

These antibodies were then administered to mice and the mice were protected against those strains of the flu. It has not been tested in humans yet but if it works we may finally have a preventative against the flu that works at 100% year after year. No more trying to "predict" next year's strains!!"

Q2. Analyze the above statement about llama and alpaca immunity. Which type of immunity (question 1) was conferred on the mice? Would this be permanent?