Antibody Production Flashcards
What are monoclonal antibodies?
Antibodies specific to the antigen which are secreted by plasma cells
How are lots of antigen-antibody complexes formed?
The monoclonal antibodies bind to the antigens on the surface of the pathogen
What is agglutination?
An antibody has 2 binding sites, so can bind to 2 pathogens at the same time.
This means that pathogens become clumped together
How does agglutination lead to the destruction of pathogens carrying the antigen?
The phagocytes bind to the antibodies and phagocytose many pathogens at once
What are variable regions?
Each antibody has a variable region with a unique tertiary structure that’s complementary to 1 specific antigen
Why does each antibody have a variable region with a unique tertiary structure?
Due to different amino acid sequences
What do all antibodies have?
The same constant regions
