Antibody Function Flashcards
(33 cards)
what is the strength of the interaction between the antibody and antigen referred to as?
affinity
does the ability of antibodies to bind using multiple antigen binding sites affect the strength of the interaction?
yes, greatly increased with multiple
in the primary response, what immunoglobulin class is mostly present?
IgM
what immunoglobulin classes are produced in the secondary or memory response?
IgA, IgE, and IgG
what is the change in antibody class produced called?
class switching
why are the antibodies of the memory response higher affinity than those of the primary response?
somatic hypermutation
how does an antibody neutralize a virus/toxin/bacteria?
binding to it and blocking it (not called neutralization for bacteria)
what immunoglobulin classes are most important in neutralization?
IgG and IgA
what is opsonization?
coating of particle with antibody to enhance phagocytosis
phagocytic cells have _____________ that bind to the _____________ of antibodies
Fc receptors
Fc region
what antibody class is most important in opsonization?
IgG
what is opsonization typically directed against?
bacteria, but viruses and other particles (extracellular) can be too
what cells does antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity involve?
natural killer cells
virally infected cells and tumor cells
what antibody class is most important in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity?
IgG
what is the most important substance that mast cells release (via degranulation)?
histamine
what are mast cells important in protecting against?
parasites
what antibody class is important in mediating mast cell degranulation?
IgE
what is the major mechanism of allergy?
IgE-mediated hypersensitivity
what does the complement system do?
mediates host defense against various extracellular pathogens, especially bacteria
what do chemoattractants do?
direct migration of phagocytic cells towards the site of complement activation
what antibody classes can activate the complement system?
IgG and IgM
what is the major immunoglobulin in the blood and tissues, but not mucosal surfaces?
IgG
where are IgM pentamers mainly confined to?
bloodstream
what are the major immunoglobulins in mucosal secretions?
IgA dimers