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Rubella is a virus that causes a highly contagious infection - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 18 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 18
Rubella is a virus that causes a highly contagious infection. When infected with rubella, humans initially produce IgM antibodies and then IgG antibodies. IgM antibo... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Rubella is a virus that causes a highly contagious infection - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 18 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. the mother of baby 1 has immunity to the rubella virus.
Answer
Baby 1 showed no antibodies in the blood, indicating that either the mother has immunity (IgG present) and passed none through placental transmission, or the baby has never been exposed to rubella. This statement requires further context and is therefore not definitively correct.
Step 2
B. baby 2 will have about two years of passive immunity to the rubella virus.
Answer
Baby 2 has IgG antibodies, which are consistent with maternal antibodies passed during pregnancy. This passive immunity typically lasts up to 6-12 months, though some may persist for approximately two years, making this statement likely correct.
Step 3
C. baby 3 received IgM antibodies to the rubella virus from its mother.
Answer
The presence of IgM antibodies in Baby 3 indicates a current or recent infection rather than passive immunity. As these antibodies do not cross the placenta but are produced in response to infection, this statement is incorrect.
Step 4