2.4 Immunology

Question 1

Immunity

Answer 1

The body’s ability to fight off infections by having memory cells that are able to rapidly produce antibodies

Question 2

What is an antigen

Answer 2

A molecule on the surface of a cell which generates an immune response

Question 3

What is an antibody

Answer 3

Protiens produced by the immune system in response to foreign substances which bind to the antigens

Question 4

What is a pathogen

Answer 4

A microorganism which can cause disease or infection

Question 5

What are antibodies (include structure)

Answer 5

Special proteins (of a quaternary structure) which only differ at the antigen binding site made up of 4 polypeptide chains two light and two heavy held together by disulphide bridges

Question 6

How do pregnancy tests work

Answer 6

The woman urinates on the stick
1. The antibody’s with blue dye are swept away by the urine and will bind to hCG which is present in the pregnant woman’s urine
2. Now that the hCG has binded to the anitgen binding site it latches onto the second row of stationary antibody’s which creates the second blue line (determines if the woman is pregnant)
3. The rest of the antibody’s then continue down the stick and create the first blue line