Antibodies Flashcards
1
Q
What are antibodies made up of
A
4 polypeptide chains
2
Q
What are the components of a antibodies
A
- hinge region
- light chain
- heavy chain
- disulfide bond
- variable region
- costnt region
- antigen binding site
3
Q
Explain the structure of the antibodies
A
- 4 polypeptide chains - 2 light and 2 heavy chains which means antibodies have a quaternary structure
- antigen binding site - tertiary structure gives each antibody highly specific shape complementary to antigen
- primary structure - determines how polypptide chains fold in secondary and tertiary struture
4
Q
Why is the varible region highly specific
A
Has specific hape due to amio acid sequenes, which ensures that the antibody only attaches to correct antigen. The shape of the variable region and antigen are complementary to each other
5
Q
What form when antibodies bind to antigen
A
Antibody - antigen complexes are formed
6
Q
Describe aggluation of bacterial cells
A
One way of antibodies can destroy pathogens. Pathogens/antigens clump together and can no longer attach to host cells the clump are the engulfed by phagocytic cells
