Antibodies

• What are antibodies produced by?

  Antibodies are produced by plasma cells derived from B cells.
• What is an antigen?

  An antigen is a substance that is foreign to the body and triggers an immune response.
• What are the main components of an antibody structure?

  • Heavy chains
  • Light chains
  • Antigen-binding sites
  • Constant region
  • Variable region
• How are the chains in an antibody held together?

  The chains in an antibody are held together by disulfide bonds.
• What is the function of the antigen-binding site on an antibody?

  The antigen-binding site binds to specific antigens.
• What is the significance of the flexible region in an antibody molecule?

  The flexible region allows the antibody to bind to two separate antigens simultaneously.
• What is the role of phagocytes in relation to antibodies?

  Phagocytes bind to antibodies to help eliminate pathogens.
• What is the constant region of an antibody responsible for?

  The constant region provides structural support and determines the class of the antibody.
• How does the variable region of an antibody differ from the constant region?

  The variable region varies between different antibodies and is responsible for antigen specificity, while the constant region remains the same across antibodies of the same class.
• How many amino acids are typically found in the heavy and light chains of antibodies?

  Heavy chains typically contain about 110 amino acids, while light chains contain fewer.
• What is the overall shape of an antibody molecule?

  An antibody molecule has a Y-shaped structure.
• What is the primary function of antibodies in the immune system?

  The primary function of antibodies is to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.
• What is the role of antibodies as opsonins?

  Antibodies attach to pathogens, making them more recognizable to phagocytes.
• What does the term "neutralisation" refer to in the context of antibodies?

  Neutralisation refers to antibodies binding to pathogens, preventing them from attaching to host cells.
• How do antibodies contribute to agglutination and why is this important for the immune response?

  Antibodies cause pathogens to clump together, reducing their spread and allowing phagocytes to engulf multiple pathogens at once.
• What is an antitoxin?

  An antitoxin is a chemical (antibody) that binds to toxins produced by pathogens, neutralizing their effects.
• What are the main roles of antibodies in the immune response?

  • Act as opsonins to enhance phagocytosis
  • Neutralise pathogens to prevent infection
  • Cause agglutination to reduce pathogen spread
  • Function as antitoxins to neutralize toxins