IDM 102 Flashcards
What is an organic compound?
Any compound which contains carbon
True or false: Each B cell can only produce antibodies for one type of antigen
True
What is an antigen?
A toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
What’s the difference between a pathogen and an antigen?
Antigens are molecules capable of causing the immune system to produce antibodies against them. Antigens are molecules that are found on the surface of pathogens and are specific to that pathogen.
How are immunoglobulins held together?
Disulphide bonds (one sulfur bound to another)
What do the lines represent in this antibody?
Two heavy chains and two light chains
What are the two regions represented in this antibody?
A = the V-shaped part
B = the straight part
A = the Fab region
B = the Fc region
What is the purpose of Fc receptors on leukocytes?
To bind with the Fc region of antibodies
Antigens bind to which region of the antibody?
The Fab region
True or false: Each immunoglobulin can only bind one type of antigen
True
What is the function of the CH2 region of an antibody?
Binds complement
What is a peptide?
A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, connected in a sequence of peptide bonds. Peptides are distinguished from proteins by their shorter length.
What is an amino acid?
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain amine (-NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH) functional groups, along with a side chain (R group) specific to each amino acid.
When discussed in the context of an antibody, what does a “chain” refer to?
A peptide
