A Level Biology Practice Exam

Which type of cells undergo clonal selection?

1. Red blood cells

2. Differentiated cells

3. Antigen-specific immune cells

4. Nerve cells

The correct answer is: Antigen-specific immune cells

Clonal selection is a crucial process in the immune response, specifically involving antigen-specific immune cells, such as B cells and T cells. When these immune cells encounter an antigen that matches their specific receptor, they become activated and undergo proliferation, leading to the formation of a clone of cells that can specifically target that antigen. This mechanism ensures that the immune response is tailored and efficient, producing many identical cells that can effectively eliminate the pathogen. Red blood cells, differentiated cells, and nerve cells do not participate in clonal selection. Red blood cells do not have immune functions and are primarily responsible for oxygen transport. Differentiated cells are specialized for specific functions but do not engage in the immune response. Nerve cells, on the other hand, are involved in signaling and communication in the nervous system and do not perform roles related to clonal selection. Therefore, the process of clonal selection is uniquely applicable to antigen-specific immune cells, as they are designed to respond to distinct pathogens and mount a targeted immune defense.