allergic resposne

Question 1

what antibody is the allergic response mediated by

Answer 1

immunoglobulin E

Question 2

What happens during first exposure to allergen?

Answer 2

1. plasma b-cells produce and secrete IgE antibodies specific to the allergen
2. IgE antibodies bind to the mast cell receptors with their constant region
3. Mast cell is now sensitised to the specific allergen

Question 3

what happens upon re-exposure to the allergen?

Answer 3

The allergen binds to to IgE antibodies (it bridges the gap between two IgE antibodies) on the mast cell and this triggers the mast cell to release histamine which causes vasodilation, welling and other symptoms associated with allergic response

Question 4

what are the treatments for allergies

Answer 4

antihistamine
epipen
immunotherapy

Question 5

What does antihistamine do?

Answer 5

drugs that counteract the effects of histamine by blocking histamine receptors therefore supressing some allergy responses

Question 6

what does the EpiPen/adrenaline do?

Answer 6

counters the actions of histamine- causes blood vessels to constrict

Question 7

immunotherapy function

Answer 7

slowly exposing person to allergen through a period of monthse which causes formation of IgG antibodies specific to the allergen. If IgG antibodies react with the allergen before it binds to IgE, an allergic response is prevented