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Question #47691
The Question
A patient on long-term immunosuppressive therapy following a kidney transplant develops severe, recurrent infections in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. The prescribed drug is a bioactive molecule extracted from the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. Which of the following accurately describes the drug's primary cellular target and the anatomical reason for the patient's specific symptoms?
Options
- A.
Target: T-lymphocyte activation via IL-2 inhibition; Reason: Suppression of cell-mediated immunity severely compromises Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT), which constitutes 50% of the body's lymphoid tissue.
- B.
Target: B-lymphocyte proliferation; Reason: Inhibition of secretory IgA production leaves the mucosal linings of the respiratory and digestive tracts without humoral defense.
- C.
Target: Macrophage phagocytosis; Reason: The drug acts as a competitive inhibitor of lysosomal enzymes, preventing the destruction of pathogens at mucosal entry points.
- D.
Target: Natural Killer (NK) cells; Reason: The drug prevents the release of perforins, allowing opportunistic viral infections to proliferate unchecked in the mucosal epithelium.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Bioactive_Molecule_Origin|Statin|Substrate_Competition
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that Cyclosporin A is a general 'immunosuppressant' without linking it specifically to Cell-Mediated Immunity (T-cells).
The trap in Option B leverages the 'Common Half-Truth' that IgA is the primary mucosal defense; however, the specific drug mentioned (Cyclosporin A) targets T-cells, and MALT relies heavily on T-cell mediated surveillance to function effectively.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Microbes in Human Welfare - Class 12 |
| Concept | Statin Mechanism of Action |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |