EXAM 15: serology

Question 1

you can identify an unknown reagent using

Answer 1

a known antigen or antibody

Question 2

serology

Answer 2

• the study into the nature and behavior of serum antibodies
• an important feature is the lock and key relationship

Question 3

titration

Answer 3

• a procedure used to determine how much antibody is present in a serum sample
• is the greatest dilution of antibody that will still cause a visible reaction
• agglutination or precipitation indicates an antibody/antigen reaction
• the highest dilution that has a reaction is called a titer

Question 4

agglutination

Answer 4

• clumping of the antigen in the presence of the specific antibody
• antigens that do this are small particles that stick together when they come in contact with a specific antibody

Question 5

what are the types of agglutination reactions

Answer 5

• tube agglutination
• rapid slide agglutination
• brucella milk ring test

Question 6

precipitation reactions

Answer 6

• antigen molecules are much smaller
• the antigen is part of the solution and becomes visible only after it has reacted with an antibody
• product is a fine precipitate
• commonly used to detect viral antibodies (therefore can be used to help diagnose disease)

Question 7

Gel diffusion

Answer 7

• a precipitation reaction
• The test is done in a petri dish
• wells are cut into the agar, and the antigens and antibodies are put into it. They diffuse into the agar and where they meet there will be a fine line of precipitate
• can be used to detect viral disease

Question 8

serotyping

Answer 8

differentiating based on cell surface differences

Question 9

fluorescent antibody

Answer 9

are reactions that make use of a labeled antibody
- used to detect the rabies virus