Antigens and MHC classes

Question 1

What is an antigen?

Answer 1

An antigen is a substance that the body recognises as foreign and can evoke an immune response

Question 2

Differentiate between MHC-1 markers and MHC-II markers

Answer 2

• The immune system can differentiate between foreign/ non self and native/self cells due to the presence of identification markers (MHC molecules)

Question 3

What are MHC-I markers?

Answer 3

• All body cells (excluding red blood cells) possess MHC class 1 markers, identifying them as part of the organ.

Question 4

What are MHC-II markers?

Answer 4

• Antigen presenting cells possess MHC-II markers which present foreign substances to the adaptive immune system.