10: Major Histocompatibility Complex

Question 1

Polygenic

Answer 1

several genes exist for a given MHC class

Question 2

Polymorphic

Answer 2

a large number of alleles exist for a given gene

Question 3

Promiscuous

Answer 3

will bind a range of similar epitopes

Question 4

MHC Class I

Answer 4

single chain, presents endogenous Ag to CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T cells)

Question 5

MHC Class II

Answer 5

2 chains, presents exogenous Ag to CD4+ T cells (helper T cells)

Question 6

MHC Class III

Answer 6

encode cytokines, heat shock proteins, Ag processing and transport proteins, and complement proteins

Question 7

How to MHC molecules bind the epitope on cell surface?

Answer 7

electrostatically

Question 8

How is the MHC single chain associated with beta 2-microglobulin?

Answer 8

non-covalently

Question 9

What type of cells are involved in MHC class I?

Answer 9

virus-infected cells and tumor cells

Question 10

What cells express MHC class I molecules?

Answer 10

every nucleated cell

Question 11

What cells express MHC class II molecules?

Answer 11

primarily WBCs

Question 12

What does the thymic epithelium mostly express?

Answer 12

MHC class II molecules