Antigens (7.1) Flashcards
Describe antigens
A substance that reacts with antibodies and T lymphocyte receptors that may induce an immune response
State what antigens can be classified as
- self
- non-self
State what an organism’s immune system is normally able to do
Differentiate between self and non-self antigens and respond accordingly
Provide a possible location to which antigens can be bound
Surface of B lymphocytes
State 2 agents which can detect antigens
- T lymphocytes
2. antibodies produced by B lymphocytes
State whether or not antibodies can be secreted and by what cell they may be secreted from
Yes. Secreted by B lymphocytes
State why antigens are important
Allow for recognition of potentially harmful pathogens to trigger immune response
State whether or not all antigens trigger an immune response
Although many antigens trigger an immune response, some do not.
Describe immunogens
Antigens that elicit an immune response
Describe the basic structure of an antigen
- protein-based
- one or more polypeptide chains
State where antigens are expressed or presented
Surface of the plasma membrane of cells
State what antigens pose as for the immune system
Recognition sites
State whether or not all antigens are attached to a cell
No. Some antigens can circulate freely within bodily fluid
Describe self-antigens
Organism’s own antigens which are normally tolerated and do not cause an immune response
Describe non-self antigens
Antigens that do not belong to an organism’s own cells
State what antigen recognition is dependent upon
Detection of antigens by receptors
Describe B lymphocytes
Lymphocytes that when stimulated produce large quantities of antibodies specific to a particular antigen
Provide an alternative term in reference to B lymphocytes
B cells
Describe T lymphocytes
Lymphocytes that originate in the bone marrow and a mature in the thymus that are responsible for cell-mediated immune responses
Provide an alternative term in reference to T lymphocytes
T cells
Describe T cell receptor
A molecule found on the surface of T lymphocytes that are responsible for recognising fragments of antigens
Describe B cell receptor
A molecule found on the surface of B lymphocytes that mirror the structure of produced antibodies, recognising antigens
State what the term ‘antigen’ stands for
Antibody generator
Describe antibodies
Proteins produced by B lymphocytes that bind to certain antigens
State what MHC stands for
Major histocompatability complex
Describe MHC proteins
Proteins found on the surfaces of cells that help the immune system recognize foreign substances.
Provide an alternative term to describe MHC proteins
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA)
Describe clonal deletion
Two-stage process of selecting T lymphocytes that recognise MHC proteins and eliminate those that react to self-antigens
Describe the 2 stages of clonal deletion
- T lymphocytes that do not react with MHC proteins are destroyed by apoptosis
- T lymphocytes that react with self-antigens bind tightly to cells in the thymus and die