8- Triggers of Adaptive Immunity

Question 1

Define an antigen

Answer 1

Foreign macromolecules present in an invading microbe

Question 2

What is antigenicity?

Answer 2

Inherent capacity of a molecule to be recognized by the immune system

Question 3

What makes a good antigen?

Answer 3

The best antigens are large, complex, and foreign

Question 4

What are some factors that can limit or enhance the ability of an antigen to elicit an immune response?

Answer 4

• route of administration
• amount of antigen administered
• genetic makeup of the immunized material

Question 5

Define haptens

Answer 5

Small molecules that can function as epitopes only when bound to other larger molecules

Question 6

Define a carrier

Answer 6

The antigenic molecule to which the haptens are attached

Question 7

Define epitopes

Answer 7

large molecules have specific regions against which immune responses are directed, these regions are called epitopes

Question 8

Define immunodominant epitopes

Answer 8

In a complex protein molecule, multiple epitopes are recognized by the immune system, but some are more immunogenic than others, these epitopes are called immunodominant epitopes

Question 9

***** figure out learning objective 4

Question 10

Define autoantigens

Answer 10

Sometimes an animal may mount immune responses against normal body components, referred to as autoimmune responses. Antigens that induce such responses are called autoantigens

Question 11

Small molecules of less than _______ Da are usually poor antigens

Answer 11

5000 Da

Question 12

Small molecules may be antigenic by linking them to large proteins. Small molecules used as antigens in this way are called _______.

Answer 12

Haptens

Question 13

The cells of the adaptive immune system use receptors that can recognize specific areas on the surface of foreign molecules. These areas are called _______ ________ or ___________.

Answer 13

Antigenic determinants or epitopes