Smallpox is a disease caused by a specific virus, while the common cold can be caused by over 100 different viruses. Explain why it is possible to develop a vaccine to prevent smallpox, but it is difficult to develop a vaccine to prevent the common cold. In your answer be sure to: • identify the substance in a vaccine that makes the vaccine effective • explain the relationship between a vaccine and white blood cell activity • explain why the response of the immune system to a vaccine is specific • state one reason why it would be difficult to develop a vaccine to be used against the common cold?

Question

Biology

Julian Walsh

6 October, 12:42

Smallpox is a disease caused by a specific virus, while the common cold can be caused by over 100 different viruses. Explain why it is possible to develop a vaccine to prevent smallpox, but it is difficult to develop a vaccine to prevent the common cold. In your answer be sure to: • identify the substance in a vaccine that makes the vaccine effective • explain the relationship between a vaccine and white blood cell activity • explain why the response of the immune system to a vaccine is specific • state one reason why it would be difficult to develop a vaccine to be used against the common cold?

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Miguel Barnes · Answer 1

1. There is a small sample of the disease that's being tried to prevent so that the body can get used to fighting it.

2. In the vaccine there is a small sample of a disease that the vaccine is being used to prevent. The white blood cells fight harmful bacteria and so prevent diseases.

3. A vaccine works by training the immune system to fight viruses or bacteria.

4. The antigenic variability of the virus and other viruses and bacteria acts as infective agents.