C3 - LESSON 2: ANTIBODIES Flashcards
Specific proteins referred to as immunoglobulins
Antibodies
Antibodies Composition:
86%-98% polypeptide; 2%-14% carbohydrate
Considered to be the humoral branch of immune response
Antibodies
can be found in blood plasma and in many body fluids such as tears, saliva and colostrum.
Antibodies
The primary function of an antibody in body defenses is to (?), which may be enough to neutralize bacterial toxins or some viruses.
combine with antigen
A secondary interaction of an antibody molecule with another (?) (e.g., complement) is usually required to dispose of larger antigens (e.g., bacteria).
effector agent
5 Major Classes (basis: heavy chain)
IgG-
IgM-
IgA-
IgD-
IgE-
IgG- gamma
IgM- mu
IgA- alpha
IgD- delta
IgE- epsilon
Each immunoglobulin is made up of a number of regions called
domains
All immunoglobulin molecules are made up of a basic (?) (TETRAPEPTIDE) that consists of two large chains called (?) and two smaller chains called (?).
four-chain polypeptide unit
heavy or H chains
light or L chains
Tetrapeptide Structure of Immunoglobulins is held together by
noncovalent forces and disulfide interchain bridges
The basic structure of immunoglobulins was elucidated in the 1950s and 1960s by the efforts of two men:
- Gerald Edelman
- Rodney Porter
N
- Gerald Edelman
used proteolytic enzyme which cleaved IgG into 3 pieces.
- Rodney Porter
For their contributions, these men shared the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine in 1972.
- Gerald Edelman
- Rodney Porter
They chose to work with immunoglobulin G.
- Gerald Edelman
- Rodney Porter
Tips of the heavy and light chains
Variable Region
Antigen-binding site
Variable Region
Recognizes and attaches specifically to a particular antigen
Variable Region
Number of binding sites = valence
Variable Region
Responsible for the type and antigen-antibody reaction that occurs
Constant Region
Constant region of heavy chain differs from one antibody class to the other
Constant Region
Structure serves as a basis for distinguishing the 5 different classes: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE
Constant Region
segment of H chain located between the CH1 and CH2 regions
Hinge Region