Antigen-Antibody Complex

Question 1

An antigen and its complementary antibody have complementary …………

Answer 1

molecular shapes

This means that their molecular structures fit into each other

Question 2

When an antibody collides (randomly) with a foreign cell that possesses non-self antigens with a complementary shape, it …………………..

Answer 2

it binds with one of the antigens

Question 3

When an antibody collides (randomly) with a foreign cell that possesses non-self antigens with a complementary shape, it binds with one of the antigens
When this occurs, the two molecules combine to form an

Answer 3

antigen-antibody complex

Question 4

antibodies have at least ………antigen-binding sites
This means they can bind to

This cause groups of the same pathogens to become clumped together
This process is known as

Answer 4

2

more than one bacterium or virus at the same time

agglutination

Question 5

The binding of antibodies to the antigens either

Answer 5

neutralises the pathogen or acts like a marker to attract phagocytes to engulf and destroy the pathogens

Question 6

Due to agglutination, phagocytes can often phagocytose many

Answer 6

pathogens at the same time, as they are all clumped together

Question 7

Remember - antibodies can cause pathogens to stick together (due to their multiple antigen-binding sites), a bit like glue. This might help you remember the biological name for this process: agglutination!