Question

To combat a severe viral infection, what kind of immune response should be elicited?

• A. Innate immune response only
• B. Humoral response only
• C. Cell mediated immune response only
• D. Both humoral and cell mediated immune response

Hint:

• Antibodies → Virus outside cells
• T-cells → Kill infected cells
• Both needed for viral infections

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: The immune system has two major adaptive responses:
• Humoral immunity: Mediated by B-cells producing antibodies.
• Cell-mediated immunity: Mediated by T-cells that destroy infected cells.

Step 1: Understanding viral infections.

• Viruses exist both outside cells and inside host cells.
• Antibodies neutralize viruses outside cells.
• Cytotoxic T-cells destroy virus-infected cells.

Step 2: Evaluating options.

• Innate only: Not sufficient for severe infections.
• Humoral only: Cannot eliminate infected cells.
• Cell-mediated only: Cannot neutralize free virus particles.
• Both responses: Provides complete defense → Correct.

Step 3: Selecting the correct answer.
Effective defense against viral infection requires both humoral and cell-mediated immunity.