11.1 Antibody Production and Vaccination (Extra)

Question 1

What does the body do in response to an allergen?

Answer 1

• When exposed to allergen, they produce a specific antibody (IgE)
• Specific antibody binds to mast cell
• Specific antibody bind to allergen; causes over-activation of mast cells to release excessive histamine
• Histamine causes dilation of small blood vessels (leaky/permeable)
• Increased flow of immune components out of blood (to infected area)
Allows both specific and non-specific immunity

Question 2

What type of cells secrete histamines?

Answer 2

• basophils;

- mast cells