Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
Plasmodium, a tiny protozoan is responsible for the disease malaria. Different species of Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. malaria and P. falciparum) are responsible for different types of malaria. Of these, malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious one and can even be fatal. Innate immunity consist of four types of barriers. These are — (i) Physical barriers- skin on our body is the main barrier which prevents entry of the micro-organisms. (ii) Physiological barriers- Acid in the stomach, saliva in the mouth, tears from eyes-all prevent microbial growth. (iii) Cellular barriers- Certain types of leukocytes (WBC) of our body like polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes (PMNL-neutrophils) and monocytes and natural killer (type of lymphocytes) in the blood as well as macrophages in tissues can phagocytose and destroy microbes. (iv) Cytokine barriers- virus-infected cells secrete proteins called interferons which protect non-infected cells from further viral infection. Allergy is due to the release of chemicals like histamine and serotonin from the mast cells. The use of drugs like anti-histamine, adrenalin and steroids quickly reduce the symptoms of allergy. Drugs like barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other similar drugs, that are normally used as medicines to help patients cope with mental illnesses like depression and insomnia, are often abused.
Which one of the following drugs or chemicals can not quickly reduce the symptoms of allergy?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Serotonin
Allergy is an exaggerated response of the immune system to certain antigens (allergens) such as mites in dust, pollen and animal dander. The body makes IgE antibodies, and the mast cells release chemicals that cause sneezing, watery eyes, a running nose and difficulty in breathing.
Option (1) Anti-histamine — Reduces the symptoms quickly.
Option (2) Adrenalin — Reduces the symptoms quickly.
Option (3) Serotonin — Does not reduce the symptoms. Serotonin is released from the mast cells along with histamine. It is one of the causes of the allergic reaction, not a remedy for it.
Option (4) Steroids — Reduce the symptoms quickly.
Note: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.