Allergy

As a response to allergens, the body produces a chemical called :

1. Histones
2. Antigen
3. Histamine
4. Antibody

Answer

Histamine

Reason — The body produces Histamine in response to allergens, which leads to allergic symptoms like inflammation, skin rash and constriction of the bronchioles (as in asthma).
Histones are proteins associated with DNA in the nucleus; they are not involved in allergic responses. An antigen is a foreign substance that triggers an immune response, not a chemical produced by the body in response. Antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight antigens, but the immediate allergic symptoms are mainly due to histamine release.

The kind of proteins produced in our body against the allergens are called as :

1. Antigens
2. Immunoglobulins
3. Both (1) and (2)
4. Neither (1) nor (2)

Answer

Immunoglobulins

Reason — In an attempt to protect our body from these allergens, our immune system produces immunoglobulin proteins that are specific to the allergen.

Which of the following is not an allergic reaction ?

1. Asthma
2. Anaemia
3. Skin rashes
4. Dermatitis

Answer

Anaemia

Reason — Anaemia is a condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells. It is not triggered by the body's immune system's response to an allergen.
Asthma can be triggered by allergens like dust or pollen, leading to breathing difficulty, so it is often considered an allergic condition. Skin rashes commonly occur due to allergic reactions to substances like food, chemicals, or pollen. Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition, often caused by allergens or irritants.

A systemic allergic response is termed as :

1. Prophylaxis
2. Asphyxiation
3. Anaphylaxis
4. Hypoxia

Answer

Anaphylaxis

Reason — A systemic allergic response is termed as Anaphylaxis.
Prophylaxis refers to preventive measures taken to avoid disease, not an allergic response. Asphyxiation means lack of oxygen due to breathing difficulty, not specifically an allergic reaction. Hypoxia refers to low oxygen levels in tissues, which can have various causes, not necessarily allergy-related.

Which of the following is not the entry route of allergens ?

1. Skin
2. Nose
3. Mouth
4. Ears

Answer

Ears

Reason — Allergens usually enter our body through skin, nose and mouth, but not through ears.
Allergens can enter through the skin, causing reactions like rashes or dermatitis. Allergens like dust and pollen enter through the nose, leading to sneezing and respiratory allergies. Food allergens enter through the mouth, causing food allergies.

Assertion (A): An inflammatory chemical called histamine is released when immunoglobulin proteins bind to the allergens and to the white blood cells.

Reason (R): Both immunoglobulin proteins and WBCs destroy the allergens whereas histamine shows allergic symptoms like inflammation, skin rashes, etc.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Reason — A is true as when allergens enter the body, immunoglobulin proteins first bind to them and then to the white blood cells present in our body. This interaction triggers the release of histamine, which causes inflammation and other allergic symptoms.
R is true as immunoglobulin proteins and white blood cells help in defense against allergens, while histamine is responsible for producing allergic symptoms such as swelling, redness, itching, and rashes.

Therefore, Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A is the correct option.

Assertion (A): Roughly 10% of children with milk allergy will have a reaction to beef also.

Reason (R): Both cows and beef feed on fodder crops, grasses and hay and hence they cause the same type of allergy.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

A is true but R is false.

Reason — A is true as some children with milk allergy may also react to beef because both come from the same animal (cow) and may share similar proteins that trigger the immune response.
R is false as the explanation is incorrect. The allergy is not related to what cows eat (fodder, grass, hay). It is due to similar proteins present in cow’s milk and beef, not their diet.

Therefore, A is true but R is false is the correct option.

Assertion (A): The allergies like irritation of nose, sneezing, coughing and wheezing, red and watery eyes, etc. are normally caused by allergens such as milk and sea food.

Reason (R): The allergens found in milk and sea food can cause certain symptoms like upset stomach, vomiting, etc. as these substances reach our whole digestive tract through mouth.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

A is false but R is true.

Reason — A is false as symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and watery eyes are typically caused by airborne allergens such as dust, pollen, or smoke not by foods like milk and seafood.
R is true as allergens in milk and seafood enter through the mouth and affect the digestive system, causing symptoms like vomiting, stomach upset, or diarrhea.

Therefore, A is false but R is true is the correct option.

Assertion (A): Insect bites and reactions to antibiotics (like penicillin) and certain medicines (like aspirin) produce a systemic allergic response termed as anaphylaxis.

Reason (R): During anaphylaxis, these antibiotics or medicines affect many organ systems of the body and create hinderance, thereby not allowing them to function properly.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Reason — A is true as severe allergic reactions caused by insect bites, penicillin, aspirin, and other drugs can lead to a systemic allergic response called anaphylaxis.
R is true as in anaphylaxis, the allergen affects multiple organ systems at the same time (like respiratory, circulatory, and skin systems), causing severe dysfunction such as breathing difficulty, drop in blood pressure, and shock.

Therefore, Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A is the correct option.

Assertion (A): For allergy testing, a small plastic or metal device is used to puncture or prick the skin. The allergens are injected intradermally into the patient's skin with a needle and syringe and the process is repeated for different kinds of allergens to identify the sensitive one.

Reason (R): Allergens are injected intradermally to get its quick response immediately. Otherwise, a better test can be obtained when these allergens are introduced into the blood vessels through a needle and syringe.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

A is true but R is false.

Reason — A is true as allergy testing is done using skin prick tests or intradermal tests, where small amounts of different allergens are introduced into the skin using a needle or device to identify the substance causing the allergy.
R is false as allergens are not injected into blood vessels for testing. Introducing allergens directly into the bloodstream can be dangerous and is not a standard diagnostic method. The purpose of skin testing is to observe a local skin reaction, not a systemic immediate response through blood injection.

Therefore, A is true but R is false is the correct option.

Name the following :

1. The scientist who coined the term 'allergy'.
2. The allergic reaction/ disease in which the lining of the nasal cavity becomes sensitive and inflamed.
3. The term used for an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to a substance that most other people do not react to.
4. The kind of allergic disease in which the muscular walls of the bronchioles contract and get narrower.
5. The inflammatory chemical which upon its release shows allergic symptoms such as inflammation, skin rash and construction of bronchioles.

Answer

1. Clemens Von Pirquet
2. Hay fever
3. Allergy
4. Asthma
5. Histamine

Match the terms given in column A with those of column B :

Answer

Fill in the blanks :

1. ............... allergy mainly occurs in the spring season.
2. A weak ............... system makes our body prone to allergies.
3. Our body produces a chemical called ............... as a response to allergens.
4. Milk-protein allergies are most common in ............... .
5. Bloating and vomiting are the symptoms of ............... allergy.

Answer

1. Pollen
2. Immune
3. Histamine
4. Children
5. Food

Unjumble the following words :

1. ALERLEGSN
2. ATGNINE
3. PLNOLE
4. ARGLYLE
5. HVSIE
6. HSMAITNEI
7. AAHILANPYXS
8. AAMHTS
9. IYINUMTM
10. IONITMANAFLM

Answer

1. ALERLEGSN → ALLERGENS
2. ATGNINE → ANTIGEN
3. PLNOLE → POLLEN
4. ARGLYLE → ALLERGY
5. HVSIE → HIVES
6. HSMAITNEI → HISTAMINE
7. AAHILANPYXS → ANAPHYLAXIS
8. AAMHTS → ASTHMA
9. IYINUMTM → IMMUNITY
10. IONITMANAFLM → INFLAMMATION

Define the term "allergy".

Answer

Allergy is defined as a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of one's immune system to allergens like dust, spores, pollen, insect stings, certain types of food and cloth, etc.

What are allergens ? Name any three allergens.

Answer

The substances that cause allergies are called allergens. Three common allergens are:

1. Dust
2. Spores
3. Insect sting

Which test is mostly favoured for testing allergy, prick test or blood test ? Why ?

Answer

Blood test is mostly favoured for testing allergy. An allergy blood test is quick and simple, and can be ordered by a licensed health care provider. Unlike skin-prick testing, a blood test can be performed irrespective of age, skin condition, medication, symptom, disease activity, and pregnancy. Thus, we can say that blood test is a better test as compared to prick test.

Name any three routes by which allergens normally enter in our body.

Answer

Three routes by which allergens normally enter in our body are:

1. Skin
2. Mouth
3. Nose

Name the two tests generally used to diagnose allergy and describe any one of them.

Answer

The two tests generally used to diagnose allergy are:

1. Skin prick test.
2. Blood testing

Blood testing — A sample of patient's blood is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Multiple allergens can be detected with a single blood sample. The test measures the concentration of specific antibodies in the blood. The quantitative allergy blood result can help determine what a patient is allergic to, help predict and follow the disease development, estimate the risk of a severe reaction, and explain cross-reactivity.

While playing in the garden during spring, Noor began sneezing and her eyes became watery. Her mother observed that this happened only near flowering plants. The doctor later explained that she was allergic to pollen carried by the wind.

(i) Define 'allergy'.

(ii) What are allergens?

(iii) Name the chemical released during allergic reactions that causes inflammation.

(iv) What is anaphylaxis?

(v) Mention two diagnostic methods used to detect allergen-specific antibodies.

Answer

(i) Allergy, also known as allergic diseases, are a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of one's immune system to something in the environment that usually causes no adverse effects to most other people. These diseases include hay fever, dermatitis, asthma, food allergies, etc.

(ii) Allergens are foreign substances (like pollen, dust, food, or animal dander) that trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

(iii) The chemical released during allergic reactions that causes inflammation is histamine.

(iv) Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction that affects the whole body. It may cause difficulty in breathing, a sudden fall in blood pressure and shock.

(v) Two diagnostic methods used to detect allergen-specific antibodies are :

1. Skin prick test
2. Blood test