Which term describes substances that can trigger immune hypersensitivity?

• A. Mutagens
• B. Sensitizer
• C. Reproductive Toxicants
• D. Eye Hazards

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is what kind of substance can provoke an immune hypersensitivity reaction. Substances that have this ability are called sensitizers. A sensitizer often doesn’t cause symptoms on the first exposure, but it trains the immune system so that later exposures trigger a strong immune response, which is the hallmark of hypersensitivity. Many sensitizers are small molecules that bind to body proteins to form a recognizable complex (hapten-protein adducts), enabling the immune system to mount a targeted response upon subsequent contact. In contrast, mutagens relate to genetic changes, reproductive toxicants affect reproductive health, and eye hazards refer to damage to the eyes, none of which specifically describe triggering immune hypersensitivity.