Inflammation - Immunology - Antigens & Adaptive Responses; Major Histocompatibility Complexes Flashcards
(166 cards)
Define: toxoid.
An inactivated toxin
(look-alike toxin)
Are the two ‘arms’ of an antibody the same or different?

They are identical
Do either B cell or T cell surface receptors change over time?

B cells
Why might a B cell antigen receptor change over time?
Repeated exposures –>
somatic hypermutation + class switching

Via what two methods does a B cell antigen receptor change over time?
Somatic hypermutation;
class switching

What is a CDR?
How does it change when faced with subsequent antigen exposures?
Complementary-determining region (the variable region);
increased affinity

The antibody hypervariable region is also known as the what?
How many are there and which is most important?

Complementary-determining region (CDR);
3, the third

True/False.
Repeated antigen exposures (e.g. booster shots or repeated infections) increase the affinity of T cell receptors for the antigen via somatic hypermutation and class switching.
False.
Repeated antigen exposures (e.g. booster shots or repeated infections) increase the affinity of B cell receptors for the antigen via somatic hypermutation and class switching.
Via what basic mechanism does somatic hypermutation (upon repeated antigen exposure) lead to B cells with a higher affinity for the antigen?
Competition between B cells
(B cells with higher affinities are more affective and more activated)
What stimulus increases B cell antigen receptor somatic hypermutation?
Repeated antigen exposure
__________ maturation refers to the process of B cell receptor class switching (I.e., IgM –> IgG or IgA).
Affinity
Which antibody class has the lowest affinity for antigens?
IgM
All antibody receptors begin as IgM. To what can they class switch? Can they class switch more than once? Can they go back to IgM after switching?
IgM –> IgA or IgE or IgG;
no;
no
(I.e., after a B cell has switched from IgM to Ig__, it will remain that class forever)
True/False.
A high-antigen booster shot will create a higher affinity immune response than a low-antigen booster shot.
False.
A low-antigen booster shot will create a higher affinity immune response than a high-antigen booster shot.
(Due to increased competition between B cells)

In which portion of the germinal center does proliferation and somatic hypermutation occur?
The dark zone

In which portion of the germinal center does B cell positive selection / competition occur?
The basal light zone

In which portion of the germinal center does cell generation (memory and plasma) and class switching occur?
Apical light zone

Name the basic B cell occurance(s) of each of the following portions of the germinal center:
Dark zone
Basal light zone
Apical light zone
Dark zone - Proliferation + somatic hypermutation
Basal light zone - Positive selection + competiton
Apical light zone - class switching + memory/plasma cell generation

What is found in the γ-globulin serum fraction?
Immunoglobulins
There are __ basic classes of antibody.
All antibodies have one of two light chain types, __ or __.
All antibodies have two heavy chains and two light chains in what arrangement?
5;
κ, λ (κ > λ);
L - H - H - L
What two immunoglobulins exist as polymers?
What is required for their polymerization?
IgM (pentamer), IgA (dimer);
the J chain

Which immunoglobulin class is most abundant in serum?
What are the second two most abundant?
IgG (~80%);
IgA (~10%; only serum fraction), IgM (~10%)
What immunoglobulins are only found in tiny percentages in the serum?
IgD (0.2%);
IgE (0.002%)
What two immunoglobulin classes are mostly found outside the bloodstream?
IgE (mast cells);
IgA (in secretions)
























































