antibodies and immunity

Question 1

what is an antigen

Answer 1

molecules that can stimulate an immune response

usually proteins or glycoproteins in plasma membrane of pathogen

foreign pathogens stimulate production of antibodies

specific to antibody / complimentory

Question 2

what is an antibody and what is the structure

Answer 2

-complex protein produced by b plasma cells in response to an infection

Question 3

what are the functions of these regions on an antibody
a- hinge region
b-constant region
c-variable region

Answer 3

a- provides flexibility to molecule so can bind to more than one antigen

b-can bind to macrophage/phagocytes

c-binds to antigen

Question 4

what are 3 things antibodies can do and explain

Answer 4

1.opsinisation: opsonin antibodies binded to antigen on pathogen to make phagocytosis easier

2.agglutinins: clump together pathogens which stops them from entering cells and phagocytes can more easily engulf them

3.antitoxins: bind to substances released by pathogenic cells, neutralises the toxin

Question 5

draw a graph that compares primary and secondary responses

Answer 5

-immunity that develops during your lifetime

active and passive immunity

Question 6

explain active immunity and the 2 types

Answer 6

develops in response to an infection or vaccination

natural - antibodies developed in response to an infection

artificial- antibodies developed in response to a vaccination

Question 7

explain passive immunity and the 2 types

Answer 7

develops after you recieve antibodies from someone or something else

natural- antibodies recieved from mother e.g breast milk

artifical - antibodies received from medicine