AHL: Immunology
IB Biology Higher LevelΒ· IB Biology AHL Theme B Unit 2Β· 25 min read
1. Innate vs. Acquired Immunityβ β ββββ± 5 min
Innate Immunity
Non-specific, immediate immune response present from birth that does not require prior exposure to pathogens.
Example:
Phagocytosis by macrophages, skin barrier, inflammation
The immune system is organized into two broad categories of response that work together to eliminate invading pathogens. Innate immunity is the first line of defense, acting within minutes of pathogen entry, and responds equally to all foreign invaders.
Acquired (Adaptive) Immunity
Specific, slower immune response that develops after exposure to specific antigens, and creates long-term immunological memory.
Example:
Antibody production by B cells, targeted destruction by T cells
A patient is exposed to a new strain of influenza virus for the first time. Which immune response components are active 12 hours after exposure, and which take 3-7 days to activate? Explain why.
- 1
12 hours after exposure, only innate immune responses are active. These include:
- 2
- Physical barriers at the entry site (e.g. nasal mucus)
- Inflammation and recruitment of phagocytic macrophages to engulf the virus
- Interferon signaling to alert neighboring cells of viral infection
- 3
Acquired responses take 3-7 days to activate because they require the process of clonal selection to find and activate the rare B and T cells that recognize the new viral antigen.
- 4
After activation, the specific B and T cells multiply, so the acquired response only becomes detectable a few days post-exposure.
Exam tip:
IB exam questions often ask to distinguish between these two response types. Always include specificity and presence of immunological memory as key differences.
2. Antibody Structure and Functionβ β β βββ± 7 min
Antibody
Y-shaped soluble protein produced by plasma cells that binds specifically to a single antigen, to neutralize or mark the pathogen for destruction.
Example:
IgG antibodies against COVID-19 bind to the viral spike protein to prevent cell entry
An antibody has a constant region that interacts with other immune cells, and two variable regions at the tips of the Y shape. The variable region has a unique amino acid sequence that creates a binding site complementary to one specific antigen, giving antibody specificity.
Function | Description |
|---|---|
Neutralization | Bind to viral or bacterial toxins to prevent them from harming host cells |
Opsonization | Mark pathogens for destruction by phagocytes by binding to their surface |
Agglutination | Cross-link multiple pathogens to form large clumps that are easy for phagocytes to engulf |
Complement activation | Trigger the complement protein cascade that creates pores in the pathogen membrane, killing it |
Explain how the structure of an antibody allows it to carry out agglutination.
- 1
An antibody has two identical antigen binding sites, one at the end of each arm of the Y shape.
- 2
Each binding site can attach to an antigen on the surface of a different pathogen cell.
- 3
This allows a single antibody to cross-link two separate pathogen cells.
- 4
Repeated cross-linking by many antibodies forms a large insoluble clump of pathogens, which is easily engulfed and destroyed by phagocytes.
3. Clonal Selection and Clonal Expansionβ β β β ββ± 8 min
Clonal selection is the core process that allows the acquired immune system to generate a specific response to any new antigen, while avoiding attack on the body's own cells.
Clonal Selection
The process where a resting B or T lymphocyte with a receptor that matches a specific antigen is activated by binding that antigen, leading to cell division and differentiation.
After activation, the selected lymphocyte divides many times to produce a large clone of identical cells, all specific to the activating antigen. This step is called clonal expansion. Most cells differentiate into short-lived active effector cells (e.g. plasma cells that secrete antibodies), while a small number become long-lived memory cells that remain in the body for future exposure.
Why do only a small number of B cells respond to a specific new antigen?
- 1
Each B cell produces a unique antibody receptor on its cell surface, with a different variable region sequence, created by random DNA rearrangement during B cell development in the bone marrow.
- 2
Only one or a very small number of B cells will have a receptor that matches the shape of the new antigen.
- 3
Only those B cells that can bind the antigen receive the activation signal from a helper T cell, so they are 'selected' for clonal expansion.
- 4
All other B cells do not bind the antigen, so they do not activate or divide.
Exam tip:
When describing clonal selection in an exam, always mention that only antigen-matching lymphocytes are selected, which ensures the response is antigen-specific.
4. Vaccines and Herd Immunityβ β β βββ± 5 min
Vaccines trigger artificial active immunity by exposing the immune system to a harmless form of a pathogen or antigen, leading to clonal selection and production of memory cells without causing disease.
Herd Immunity
Protection of unvaccinated or susceptible individuals in a population when enough people are immune to prevent sustained spread of the pathogen.
The proportion of the population that needs to be immune to achieve herd immunity depends on the basic reproduction number () of the pathogen: more contagious pathogens require higher vaccination coverage.
A new viral disease has an of 5. What proportion of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, if the vaccine is 100% effective?
- 1
The herd immunity threshold is calculated by the formula:
- 2
- 3
Substitute into the formula:
- 4
- 5
This means 80% of the population needs to be immune (vaccinated) to stop sustained spread of the virus, protecting even unvaccinated individuals.
5. Common Pitfalls
Wrong move:
Confusing active and passive immunity when describing vaccine protection.
Why:
Vaccines trigger your own immune system to produce memory cells, so this is active immunity, not passive.
Correct move:
Classify vaccine-induced immunity as artificial active immunity, and antibody injection treatment as artificial passive immunity.
Wrong move:
Stating that innate immunity is lost in people with acquired immunodeficiency like AIDS.
Why:
AIDS only damages the adaptive (acquired) immune system; innate immunity is non-specific and remains functional.
Correct move:
Explain that AIDS patients primarily lose adaptive immune function, but retain innate responses like phagocytosis and inflammation.
Wrong move:
Claiming antibodies directly kill all pathogens.
Why:
Antibodies are signaling proteins that tag or neutralize pathogens; they are rarely directly cytotoxic.
Correct move:
Explain that antibodies enable pathogen destruction by other immune components like phagocytes or complement proteins.
Wrong move:
Thinking herd immunity guarantees unvaccinated people will never get infected.
Why:
Herd immunity only reduces the probability of exposure, it does not eliminate all risk of infection.
Correct move:
Describe herd immunity as reducing overall pathogen transmission, making exposure much less likely for susceptible unvaccinated people.
6. Quick Reference Cheatsheet
Concept | Key Feature |
|---|---|
Innate Immunity | Non-specific, immediate, no memory |
Acquired Immunity | Specific, slow, long-term memory |
Antibody Structure | Y-shaped, 2 variable antigen-binding sites, 1 constant region |
Clonal Selection | Activation of only antigen-matching lymphocytes |
Active Immunity | Own immune response, long-lasting protection |
Passive Immunity | Pre-made antibodies, temporary protection, no memory |
Herd Immunity Threshold | , higher for more contagious pathogens |
7. Frequently Asked
What is the difference between active and passive immunity?
Active immunity is produced by your own immune system after exposure to an antigen, and is long-lasting due to memory cells. Passive immunity is obtained by receiving pre-made antibodies (e.g. from mother to fetus, or therapeutic injection), is temporary, and generates no immunological memory.
When this came up on past exams
AI-estimated based on syllabus patterns β cross-check with official past papers for accuracy. Use only as revision-focus signals.
- 2025 Β· 2
Compare innate and acquired immunity
- 2024 Β· 1
Explain antibody structure and function
- 2023 Β· 2
Discuss vaccine efficacy and herd immunity
Going deeper
What's Next
Immunology connects to multiple other IB Biology HL AHL topics, including cell signaling (which explains how helper T cells activate B lymphocytes during clonal selection) and integrated human health and physiology. Understanding the principles of acquired immunity and vaccination is also foundational for learning about autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency, and monoclonal antibody technology β all of which are common extended response topics that frequently appear in Section B of IB Biology Paper 2. Mastering the core concepts in this sub-topic will help you answer data analysis and essay questions efficiently in your exam.