Read the passage below and answer the following question:
BEHAVIOURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF ILLNESS: THE EFFECTS OF THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS ON HEALTH
- Cancer is actually a group of diseases characterized by a loss of some cells’ ability to function normally. These cells typically multiply rapidly, generating tumours.
- Individual differences in people’s reaction to nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, help determine who will become a smoker.
- Both smoking and passive smoking are implicated in many cancers, in cardiovascular disease, and in sickness among children. Poor diet can raise our risks of cancer of the colon and rectum, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Heavy drinking can cause disease of the stomach, liver and intestines. It can also impair mental and sexual functioning, and it can result in fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Inadequate emotional expression can adversely affect the progression of cancer. Emotions also affect high blood pressure.
- Persons who tend to be competitive, aggressive, hostile, and impatient are displaying a pattern of behaviours termed Type A. Cynical hostility puts Type A persons most at risk for heart attacks.
- Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a reduction in the immune system’s ability to defend itself against foreign matter. AIDS is transmitted primarily through unprotected sex and infected blood.
Which cells are attacked by the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) causing Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → T-helper cells
The white blood cells of the immune system identify and destroy foreign bodies such as viruses. They include T cells, B cells and natural killer cells.
Option (1) B cells — Incorrect. B cells produce antibodies; they are not the target of HIV.
Option (2) T-helper cells — Correct. Among the white blood cells, T cells destroy invaders and T-helper cells increase immunological activity. It is these T-helper cells that are attacked by HIV, the virus causing AIDS, so the whole immune response weakens.
Option (3) Natural Killer cells — Incorrect. These cells are involved in the fight against both viruses and tumours, and stress can lower their activity; but HIV’s target is the T-helper cell.
Option (4) leucocytes — Incorrect. Leucocytes is the general name for all the white blood cells of the immune system, T cells, B cells and natural killer cells together. HIV attacks one particular kind among them, the T-helper cells.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 29-05-2026 (Slot 2) and 06-06-2026 (Slot 1).
NCERT (2025-26): “Stress and the Immune System … There are several kinds of white blood cells or leucocytes within the immune system, including T cells, B cells and natural killer cells. T cells destroy invaders, and T-helper cells increase immunological activity. It is these T-helper cells that are attacked by the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV), the virus causing Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). B cells produce antibodies. Natural killer cells are involved in the fight against both viruses and tumours.…” |