The specific foreign substances that an individual's immune system has the ability to recognize and resist are determined by ________.
A) individual exposure to the specific foreign substance
B) individual genetic makeup
C) the total number of lymphocytes present at a given time
D) the total number of macrophages at a given time
E) the total number of self-antigens at a given time

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An individual's genetic makeup determines the specific foreign substances that their immune system can recognize and resist. This is because the immune system has specific receptors, called antibodies, that are produced based on the individual's genetic code. These antibodies are capable of recognizing and binding to specific antigens, or foreign substances, based on their shape and structure. Therefore, an individual's genetic makeup determines their ability to produce antibodies that can recognize and respond to specific foreign substances.

The Specific Foreign Substances That an Individual's Immune System Has