Select the correct statement about the immune system in relation to acquired immune deficiency syndrome and immunodeficiency disorders.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: The causative agent in acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a virus that recognises and binds to CD4 proteins on certain immune cells

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question assesses your understanding of key facts about the immune system and immune related diseases, particularly acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Knowing how the human immunodeficiency virus interacts with immune cells and distinguishing this from other immunodeficiency conditions is essential in biology and medicine.


Given Data / Assumptions:
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus.- CD4 proteins are markers present on helper T cells and some other immune cells.- Other options mention graft versus host disease, severe combined immunodeficiency and Hodgkin disease.- You must identify the statement that correctly describes one of these conditions.


Concept / Approach:
Human immunodeficiency virus attaches to CD4 proteins on helper T lymphocytes, macrophages and related cells. This binding is a crucial step in viral entry and leads over time to depletion of CD4 positive cells, causing immunodeficiency. Graft versus host disease is an immune reaction after transplantation and is not the most common cause of immunodeficiency. Severe combined immunodeficiency is usually a primary, often inherited condition, not always an acquired one. Hodgkin disease is a type of lymphoma, not a simple hereditary immunodeficiency confined to children. Therefore, the statement about a virus recognising CD4 proteins in acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the correct one.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that acquired immune deficiency syndrome is caused by human immunodeficiency virus infection.Step 2: Remember that this virus binds to CD4 molecules on the surface of helper T cells and uses them as entry receptors.Step 3: Read option A and notice that it matches this description exactly.Step 4: Examine options B, C, D and E and recognise that they misdescribe the nature or cause of various immune disorders.Step 5: Choose option A as the correct statement.


Verification / Alternative check:
Immunology and pathology references consistently state that human immunodeficiency virus targets CD4 positive helper T cells.These sources also describe a strong correlation between declining CD4 counts and progression of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.None of the other statements align with standard descriptions of immunodeficiency disorders, confirming that option A is correct.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because graft versus host disease is a specific complication of bone marrow or organ transplantation and is not the most common form of immunodeficiency overall.Option C is wrong because severe combined immunodeficiency is typically a primary, inherited condition affecting both B and T cell function, not always an acquired disease.Option D is wrong because Hodgkin disease is a malignant lymphoma and has complex causes; it is not simply a hereditary immunodeficiency seen mainly in children.Option E is wrong because primary immunodeficiency conditions arise from genetic defects and are not all caused by bacterial toxins.


Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse graft versus host disease with general immunodeficiency, forgetting that it is an immune attack by donor cells on host tissues.Another pitfall is to assume that all immunodeficiencies are acquired, when many important ones are congenital or genetic.Keeping in mind that acquired immune deficiency syndrome is specifically linked to virus binding to CD4 proteins helps you quickly identify the correct statement.


Final Answer:
The correct statement is that the causative agent in acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a virus that recognises and binds to CD4 proteins on certain immune cells.

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