AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
White blood cells help to defend against pathogens by: • phagocytosis •…
Full specification wording
Human defence systems: White blood cells help to defend against pathogens by: • phagocytosis • antibody production • antitoxin production.
White blood cells are part of the immune system and defend the body in three main ways.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
White blood cells are part of the immune system and defend the body in three main ways. In phagocytosis, a white blood cell engulfs a pathogen and digests it. In antibody production, lymphocytes produce antibodies that bind to antigens on a specific pathogen; this can clump pathogens together, neutralise them or help other white blood cells destroy them. In antitoxin production, white blood cells produce antitoxins that neutralise toxins released by pathogens, such as the toxins produced by some bacteria. Each response helps destroy or disable the pathogen. For example, antibodies against measles virus bind to measles antigens, while antitoxins can neutralise tetanus toxin. Memory cells formed during a response allow a faster second response.
What earns the marks
- Phagocytosis involves a white blood cell engulfing and digesting a pathogen.
- Antibodies are proteins produced by lymphocytes that bind to specific antigens on a pathogen.
- Antibody binding can clump pathogens, neutralise them or help phagocytes destroy them.
- Antitoxins are produced by white blood cells and neutralise toxins released by pathogens.
- The response is specific because antibodies and memory cells recognise particular antigens.
- Memory cells remain after an infection and give a faster, stronger response on re-infection.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing antibodies with antitoxins.
Put it right: Antibodies bind to antigens on pathogens, while antitoxins neutralise toxins produced by pathogens.
Thinking phagocytosis is specific to one pathogen.
Put it right: Phagocytosis is a general engulfing response, whereas antibody production is specific to antigens.
Saying white blood cells 'eat' toxins.
Put it right: Antitoxins neutralise toxins, while phagocytes engulf pathogens.
Exam tips
- Name the white blood cell process clearly, for example 'phagocytosis' or 'antibody production', rather than describing it vaguely.
- Use the words antigen and antibody correctly: antigens are on the pathogen surface, antibodies are produced by lymphocytes and bind to antigens.
- When describing antitoxins, state that they neutralise toxins, not that they kill pathogens directly.
Try the lesson
The start of the Human defence systems: White blood cells help to defend against pathogens by: • phagocytosis • antibody production • antitoxin production. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which process do white blood cells use to engulf and digest pathogens?
Listen
White blood cells are part of the immune system and defend the body in three main ways. In phagocytosis, a white blood cell engulfs a pathogen and digests it. In antibody production, lymphocytes produce antibodies that bind to antigens on a specific pathogen; this can clump pathogens together, neutralise them or help other white blood cells destroy them. In antitoxin production, white blood cells produce antitoxins that neutralise toxins released by pathogens, such as the toxins produced by some bacteria. Each response helps destroy or disable the pathogen. For example, antibodies against measles virus bind to measles antigens, while antitoxins can neutralise tetanus toxin. Memory cells formed during a response allow a faster second response. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Phagocytosis involves a white blood cell engulfing and digesting a pathogen. Antibodies are proteins produced by lymphocytes that bind to specific antigens on a pathogen. Antibody binding can clump pathogens, neutralise them or help phagocytes destroy them. Antitoxins are produced by white blood cells and neutralise toxins released by pathogens. A common slip: Confusing antibodies with antitoxins. Instead, antibodies bind to antigens on pathogens, while antitoxins neutralise toxins produced by pathogens. Exam tip: Name the white blood cell process clearly, for example 'phagocytosis' or 'antibody production', rather than describing it vaguely.
See it
Key words
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Phagocytosis
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Antibody production
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Antitoxin production
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Specific immune response
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See every definition
- Phagocytosis
- A white blood cell engulfs a pathogen and digests it.
- Antibody production
- Lymphocytes produce antibodies that bind to antigens on a specific pathogen, which can clump pathogens together, neutralise them or help other white blood cells destroy them.
- Antitoxin production
- White blood cells produce antitoxins that neutralise toxins released by pathogens.
- Specific immune response
- Antibodies and memory cells recognise particular antigens, and memory cells remaining after an infection give a faster, stronger response on re-infection.
Label the diagram
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3Box 3
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