Question

Immunisation refers to:

• A. Introduction of live/attenuated (weakened) or killed pathogens into the person
• B. Process of production of antibodies by the person
• C. Production of antigenic polypeptides of a pathogen in bacteria or yeast
• D. Culturing of the bacteria in chemicals like formaldehyde

Answer 1

The correct option is B Process of production of antibodies by the person

Immunisation refers to the process of acquiring immunity by an organism against disease-causing microbes.

It can be achieved by administering a vaccine or transferring immune cells or antibodies.

Vaccination is a form of active immunisation, in which the immune system of the organism is stimulated to produce antibodies against specific pathogens.

Vaccines could be in the form of a subunit vaccine (for example, only antigens), live/attenuated vaccine (contains weakened germs), inactivated vaccines (contains killed pathogens) or toxoids (inactivated toxins).

Production of antigenic polypeptides of pathogens in a microorganism is done in recombinant DNA technology, where a segment of the genome which codes for a specific protein (antigen) is introduced in another host organism for its production. These antigenic polypeptides are given in the form of vaccines. For example, hepatitis B vaccine .

Bacteria are not cultured in formaldehyde, instead it is used to inactivate bacteria for the preparation of inactivated whole bacterial vaccines.

Culturing of bacteria is done in a medium containing nutrients (carbon source like carbohydrates, minerals etc.).