Immunology

Question 1

What is IgM’s functions?

Answer 1

• The first to be secreted by plasma cells during primary response
• Activates complement
• Targets extracellular bacteria
• Acts as a antigen receptor

Question 2

What is IgA’s function

Answer 2

• Found in body secretions such as saliva, sweat, breast milk etc
• Stops pathogens from attaching to epitherlial cell surfaces
• Confers ‘passive immunity’ on nursing infant

Question 3

What is IgD’s function?

Answer 3

• Found on B cells surface
• Fuctions as B cell antigen receptor (as does IgM)
• Specific function unknown

Question 4

What is IgG’s function?

Answer 4

• The most abundant antibody
• Main antibody of both secondary and late primary responses
• Fixes and acitvates complement
• Protects against bacteria, viruses and toxins in the blood and lymph
• Can cross placenta and confers passive immunity

Question 5

What is IgE’s function?

Answer 5

• Binds mast cells
• Triggers these cells to release histamine and other chemicals to mediate inflammation and allergic reactions
• Immunity to multicellular parasites

Question 6

What is neutralisation?

Answer 6

Antibody binds to the virus and stops it from binding to cell bodies as they need a receptor to attack the cell

Question 7

What is opsonisation?

Answer 7

Antibody will bind to microbes and enable them to bind to a specific receptor on a phagocyte