antibody structure

Question 1

what is an antibody

Answer 1

a protein made by B-cells. they bind to specific antigens and clump them together to aid phagocytosis
the anti toxins bind to the toxins

Question 2

what is the structure of antibodies ?

Answer 2

-they are proteins found in blood plasma and tissue fluid and breast milk
-constant region has the same sequence of amino acids
-variable region has a specific tertiary structure which is complimentary to one antigen
-hinge so antibodies can bind more easily with upto 2 antigens
-agglutination is “climbing together” the antigens which slows down the pathogen enabling phagocytosis

Question 3

what do some antibodies do

Answer 3

some cross from mother to foetus via the placenta providing short term immunity protecting them as the foetus doesn’t have its own immune system to have its own antibodies. its later destroyed as it’s seen as foreign.

Question 4

what happens if a person has low blood protein level

Answer 4

causes a lack of antibodies as they are made from proteins