Immunogenicity, antigenicity And Epitopes

Question 1

What are the characteristics of good Immunogens?

Answer 1

Intrensic factors> haptens need to be joined to another protein to induce immune response

Foreign> immunogen needs to be foreign to host

Complexity > more complex the immunogen the better the response

Ability to be processed and presented

Question 2

4 factors that affect the immunogenicity of a molecule.

Answer 2

The dose used> not enough won’t activate response

Route used> injections into muscles and subcutaneously

Use of adjuvants

Immune system of the host> each person is different

Question 3

What do immune cells recognise

Answer 3

Part of the macromolecule callled an epitope

Question 4

What are epitopes

Answer 4

Complex antigens

Question 5

Where are b cell epitopes usually?

Answer 5

The exposed surface of an antigen