Topic 2- Antigens

Question 1

Every cell in the human body has 1._____ on it which allow the body to identify it

Answer 1

1. Markers

Question 2

True or false: Microorganisms (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic), such as bacteria and viruses, also have their own unique markers

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What is the formal name for these markers?

Answer 3

Antigens

Question 4

What is the function of antigens?

Answer 4

allow cell-to-cell recognition

Question 5

Where are antigens found?

Answer 5

cell surface membranes, bacterial cell walls, or the surfaces of viruses

Question 6

Which molecules found on the cell membrane’s outer surface can act as antigens?

Answer 6

-Glycolipids
-Glycoproteins

Question 7

What are the 2 types of antigens?

Answer 7

-Self antigens
-Non-self antigens

Question 8

Define self-antigens

Answer 8

Antigens produced by the organism’s own body cells (those that the immune system does not recognise as foreign antigens)

Question 9

What do self-antigens NOT stimulate?

Answer 9

A specific immune response

Question 10

Define non self antigens

Answer 10

Antigens not produced by the organism’s own body cells (those that the immune system recognises as being foreign

Question 11

What do non-self antigens stimulate?

Answer 11

An immune response

Question 12

What causes antigen variability?

Answer 12

genetic mutations

Question 13

Why is antigen variability a problem for the immune system?

Answer 13

-The surface receptors on lymphocytes and memory cells are complementary in shape to only one antigen
-When the antigen on a pathogen changes the lymphocytes and memory cells can no longer bind
-As a result, there is no secondary immune response
-The host gets infected and suffers from the disease again