Antibodies

Question 1

Describe the protein structure of an antibody.

Answer 1

Four polypeptides: two heavy chains and two light chains

Tips of Y are variable antigen binding

Body is constant region and can be one of five Ig classes

Question 2

T/F: Antigen-antibody interactions utilize covalent bonding.

Answer 2

FALSE

Question 3

T/F: Antigen-antibody binding is mediated by weak forces.

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

What constitutes the antigen-binding site of Ig?

Answer 4

CDRs on light and heavy chains

Question 5

Describe the instructive theory of antibody formation.

Answer 5

Cells imprint the shape of an antigen and make antibodies accordingly

Question 6

Describe the selective theory of antibody formation.

Answer 6

Antibodies are pre made with millions of different types to create diversity

Question 7

How many gene locations go into creating an antibody?

Answer 7

THREE

Two for the light chain and one for the heavy chain

Question 8

What type of DNA do Pro-B cells contain?

Answer 8

Germ line DNA

Question 9

T/F: Pro-B cells produce Ig.

Answer 9

FALSE

Question 10

What are the three gene units involved with K chain production?

Answer 10

Vk, Jk, and Ck

Vk and Jk = variable region

Ck = constant region

Question 11

What are the three gene units for a gamma chain production?

Answer 11

Vgamma, Jgamma, and Cgamma

Question 12

Between heavy chains, gamma chains, and kappa chains, how many possible variations are there?

Answer 12

Heavy = 9180
Gamma = 210
Kappa = 150

Total: 2 x 10^6