antibodies Flashcards

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1
Q

why are antibodies examples of a protein with a quaternary structure

A

it has 4 polypeptide chains in total

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2
Q

what is the variable region on an antibody

A

contains antigen binding site

varies between antibodies due to differences in primary structure

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3
Q

what do disulfide bridges act between

A

2 cystenine amino acids

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4
Q

explain why antibodies are specific to 1 antigen

A

the antibody has a specific tertiary structure

the antibody has a binding site that is only complementary to 1 antigen

due to specific amino acid sequence

so antibody can only form an antigen-antibody complex with one antigen

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5
Q

when antibodies bind to antigens, what is the structure formed called

A

an antibody- antigen complex

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6
Q

how do antibodies destroy pathogens?

A

the pathogens clump together
(AGGLUTINATION)

this attracts phagocytes as more chemicals are released by the pathogens in one area therefore there is an increased rate of phagocytosis (due to phagocytes being able to engulf multiple pathogens at the same time

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