1050 Unit 3 Flashcards
Describe affinity
-initial attraction force between a single Fab site on an antibody molecule and a single epitope of an antigen
—->strength of attraction depends on specificity of antibody for antigen
—->cross reacting antigens have lower affinity
Describe avidity
-sum of attractive forces between an antigen and antibody
—->strength with which a multivalent antibody binds a multivalent antigen
—->measure of the overall stability of an antigen antibody complex
describe how the law of mass action relates to antigen-antibody binding
-value of K depends on strength of binding between antibody and antigen
-the higher the value of K–>larger the amount of antigen-antibody complex –> the more visible or easily detectable the reaction.
define precipitation
the combination of soluble antigen with soluble antibody to produce insoluble complexes that are visible
define agglutination
process by which particulate antigens (latex beads, RBC, gel particles) react with specific antibody to form large aggregates or clumps
what is the difference between precipitation and agglutination?
agglutination takes place between antibody and particular antigen where as precipitation happens between antibody and soluble antigens
describe antigen/antibody concentration in prozone
-when antibody excess is large, prozone occurs
-antigen combines with only one or two antibody molecule and no cross linkage formed.
-precipitation and agglutination can not be detected
describe antigen/antibody concentration in postzone
-when antigen excess is large, postzone occurs
-small aggregates are surrounded by excess antigen. Every available antibody site is bound to single antigen
describe antigen/antibody concentration in zone of equivalence
-number of multivalent sites of antigen and antibody molecules is approximately equal
describe immunoturbidity
-measures reduction in light intensity (measurement of turbidity)
-spectrophotometer
describe nephelometry
-measures light scatter at particular angles as immune complexes form
-nephelometer
-amount of light is proportional to size, shape, and concentration of molecules. Thus light scatter increases as number of immune complexes increases and is an index of concentration index of antibody or antigen is solution.
what is single diffusion?
involves migration of antigen only.
what is double diffusion?
both antigen and antibody diffuse independently through a semisolid medium in two dimensions, horizontally and vertically
what is the principle of the end point method of radial immunodiffusion (RID)?
-antigen is allowed to diffuse to completion when equivalence is reached
-single diffusion technique
-incorporated into gel
- antigen is placed on gel in wells which diffuse out and react with antibody, forming rings of precipitation around the wells. Diameter of ring is directly related to the amount of antigen in the well.
describe the principle of immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE)
-proteins in patients serum are electrophoresed, then antibody is applied directly to gel (agarose or cellulose acetate gel). Precipitation forms where antigen-antibody combination has taken place
-used to detect monoclonal immunoglobulins produced by patients with immunoproliferative diseases such as multiple myeloma
discuss IgM’s ability to participate in agglutination reactions
-700 times more efficient at agglutination than IgG
-bigger, which contributes to its ability to agglutinate without enhancement
-tested at room temperature
discuss IgG’s ability to participate in agglutination reactions
- usually requires use of enhancement techniques to achieve visible reaction such as ionic strength of solution, pH and temperature
-usually requires the use of second antibody to visualize reaction–> Coombs reagent
-tested at 37C
what are the physiological conditions that can be altered to enhance agglutination
-pH
-Temperature
-ionic strength of solution
describe Agglutination inhibition
- based on competition between antigen coated particles and soluble patient antigen for a limited number of antibody site
-only instance in which agglutination represents a negative test.
define Agglutinins
Antibody, lectin or other substances that causes agglutination
define Coombs reagent
Poly alert and contains species specific anti-IgG, anti-IgM, and anti- c antibodies. If present on patient RBC, cross linking will occur (agglutination)
Define cross reactivity
Reacting of an observed agent which initiates reactions outside the main reaction expected
Define Electrophoresis
Movement of charged particles in a fluid or gel under the influence of an electric field
Define end point method
Measure total amounts of analytes that participate in the reaction