Immune System Quizlet Related

Review Immune System Quizlet related questions and content

In the late 1890s, 'cellularists' and 'humoralists' were intensively arguing about the key components driving the immune response. What was a crucial finding that led the humoralists to dominate the field in the following 50 years?

  • A. The demonstration of the Germ Theory of disease
  • B. The discovery that cell-free serum could transfer immunity from an immunized animal to a non-immunized one
  • C. The discovery of the tuberculin reaction
  • D. The determination of the antibody structure
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, the discovery that cell-free serum could transfer immunity. This finding led humoralists to dominate because it supported the idea of circulating antibodies in the serum being responsible for immunity. This concept aligned with the humoralist theory, which focused on the role of antibodies in immune response. The ability of cell-free serum to transfer immunity provided direct evidence for humoralists' beliefs.

Choice A (The demonstration of the Germ Theory of disease) is incorrect because while it was a significant advancement in understanding disease, it did not directly impact the argument between cellularists and humoralists regarding the immune response.

Choice C (The discovery of the tuberculin reaction) is incorrect as it was more relevant to the understanding of the immune response to tuberculosis specifically, rather than the broader debate between cellularists and humoralists.

Choice D (The determination of the antibody structure) is incorrect because while understanding antibody structure is crucial, it did not have as direct an impact on the dominance of