Master the A Level Biology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your test. Start your journey to excellence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


How does a cell utilize cytokines during an immune response?

  1. To stimulate production of antibodies

  2. To signal neighboring cells for a coordinated response

  3. To break down infected cells

  4. To remove pathogens through phagocytosis

The correct answer is: To signal neighboring cells for a coordinated response

Cytokines play a crucial role in the immune response by acting as signaling molecules that facilitate communication between cells. When a cell releases cytokines, it sends out signals that can influence the behavior of nearby immune cells. This signaling is essential for coordinating a collective response to pathogens, ensuring that the immune system responds effectively and efficiently as a whole. While other processes, such as antibody production and the direct removal of pathogens, are essential parts of the immune response, they can be influenced by cytokines but are not the primary function of these molecules. Cytokines mainly help to initiate and amplify the responses among various immune cells, leading to a more robust and targeted attack against infections.