Textbook Question
What would a vaccine have to contain to protect a patient from chicken pox? Explain why we don't have vaccines for HIV.
Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals
Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life13
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life14
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function10
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells11
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation11
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis12
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions12
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle8
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis12
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene23
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair15
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work16
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria16
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes12
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers15
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution12
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection16
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea15
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes16
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants16
- Ch. 29 - Fungi18
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals15
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals17
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function17
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology15
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology17
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology18
Chapter 48, Problem 11
What are two main criteria required for an RNA vaccine to be effective at protecting a vaccinated individual from a viral infection?
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the target antigen: The RNA vaccine must contain the genetic information for a specific viral protein (antigen) that, when expressed, will stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight the actual virus.
Ensure efficient delivery and expression: The RNA needs to be delivered into the host cells effectively and must be translated into the target protein efficiently. This often involves encapsulating the RNA in lipid nanoparticles to protect it from degradation and facilitate its entry into cells.
Achieve a strong immune response: The expressed antigen should be able to elicit a robust immune response, including both antibody production by B cells and activation of T cells, which are crucial for clearing the virus and providing long-term immunity.
Ensure stability and distribution: The RNA vaccine must remain stable during storage and distribution. This often requires specific temperature conditions to prevent degradation of the RNA.
Safety and minimal side effects: The vaccine should not trigger any severe adverse effects and should be safe for use in a wide population, including those with different health conditions.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
RNA Vaccine Mechanism
RNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes a viral protein into the body. This mRNA is translated by the host's cells to produce the viral protein, which then triggers an immune response. The immune system recognizes this protein as foreign, leading to the production of antibodies and memory cells that provide protection against future infections.
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1) RNA Processing
Immune Response Activation
For an RNA vaccine to be effective, it must successfully activate the immune response. This involves both the innate immune response, which provides immediate defense, and the adaptive immune response, which generates specific antibodies and memory cells. A robust immune response ensures that the vaccinated individual can recognize and combat the actual virus if exposed.
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Stability and Delivery of RNA
The stability of the RNA and its effective delivery into cells are critical for vaccine efficacy. RNA is inherently unstable and can degrade quickly; thus, it must be encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles for protection and efficient cellular uptake. Proper delivery ensures that sufficient amounts of mRNA reach the cells to elicit a strong immune response.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Which of the following outcomes would be expected if somatic hypermutation did not occur?
a. The diversity of pattern-recognition receptors would be significantly lowered.
b. B and T lymphocytes would not be able to produce receptors that recognize antigens.
c. The adaptive immune response would not be activated by pathogens.
d. The secondary immune response to a repeat infection would produce the same antibodies as those made in the primary immune response.
Textbook Question
Propose a hypothesis to explain how self-reactive B cells are identified and eliminated during maturation.