Antibodies Flashcards
Antigens are foreign molecules. What are epitopes?
Immune reactive parts of the antigen
What 3 main things do antibodies do?
Neutralise pathogen
Opsonisation
Activate complement
What is antibody neutralisation?
Antibody binds to the pathogen and neutralise it
Prevent it from replicating, toxin production etc
What receptors are involved with antibody opsonisation?
Fc receptors (constant region) Complement receptors
What regions of the antibody are constant and vary?
Constant region (Fc) of heavy chain remains same Variable region (Fab) of heavy chain alters
What bonds attach the constant region to the variable region?
Disulfide bonds
What are the host cells of IgE?
Mast cells
Basophils
Activated eosinophils
What effect does IgE cause?
Release of inflammatory mediators
What are the host cells of IgG?
Macrophages
Neutrophils
What effect does IgG cause?
Pathogens coated with antibody and are engulfed
The primary immune response mainly includes which isotype of antibodies?
IgM
The secondary immune response mainly includes which isotope of antibody?
IgG and IgA
How does the antibodies affinity for an antigen change between a primary and secondary immune response?
Primary response has less affinity
Secondary response has more affinity
Which 2 cells synthesise antibodies?
B lymphocytes
Plasma cells
How are plasma cells formed?
From clonal selection, proliferation and maturation of B cells
