antibodies

Cards (15)

what are antibodies (structurally) 
y shaped globular proteins
what is each antibody molecule made out of
four polypeptide chains and two antigen-binding sites
what is the antigen-antibody complex
each antibody is specific to an antigen
what happens when the antigen-antibody complex is formed 
they render the antigen inactive
how do antibodies render antigens inactive 
by processes such as agglutination
what is agglutination 
clumping together of bacteria
how does agglutination help 
it allows phagocytes to locate and engulf pathogens
what is the top half of the y-shaped globular protein, antibody called
variable region
what is the bottom half of the y-shaped globular protein called 
the constant region
what is the constant region of the y-shaped globular protein made of 
heavy chains and disulphide bridges
what is the variable region of the y-shaped globular protein made of 
light chains and disulphide bridges
what's the highest level of protein structure an antibody has
quaternary
what type of bond holds the polypeptide chains together between sulfur-containing variable groups 
disulfide bridges
explain how the structure of an antibody ensure that only bind to one type of antigen
the variable region is only complementary to one type of antigen
how is the structure of an antibody adapted to help agglutination occur 
as there are 2 light chains the antibody can bind to two antigen molecules at once