In Northern Europe, wild populations of deer (cervids) have been infected with a newly emerging strain of Orbivirus.
Previously, this specific viral strain was restricted to wild deer, but recently cases have been confirmed in domestic sheep (Ovis aries).
Suggest and explain how this Orbivirus strain became able to cross the species barrier to infect domestic sheep.
Name two laboratory techniques scientists could use when analysing viral nucleic acids to establish that the deer and sheep strains are closely related.
Determining the genome of this Orbivirus could allow scientists to develop an effective subunit vaccine. Explain how.
Describe how the B lymphocytes of a sheep would respond to vaccination with this Orbivirus vaccine.
You can assume that the B lymphocytes of sheep respond in the same way as human B lymphocytes. Do not include details of the T-lymphocyte (cellular) response in your answer.
14 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Biology Cell recognition and the immune system, covering Cell recognition and the immune system. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.