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What is the main function of B cells in the immune response?
Produce antibodies and establish memory population.
What type of antibody is produced first when B cells are activated?
IgM.
What is opsonization?
A process by which antibodies coat pathogens to enhance their recognition and clearance by immune cells.
How do T cells assist in B cell activation?
T cells produce cytokines and upregulate CD40L to help activate B cells.
What is the role of cytokines in B cell activation?
Cytokines help to develop B cells into plasma cells that produce antibodies.
What does MHC stand for in the context of T cell activation?
Major Histocompatibility Complex.
How do B cells help T cells to become activated?
By presenting antigens on MHC, functioning as antigen presenting cells (APCs).
What is VDJ recombination?
A process that generates diverse specificities of antibodies by rearranging gene segments.
What are the different types of heavy chains in antibodies?
Mu (µ), delta, gamma, epsilon, and alpha.
What type of antibody is IgA and where is it primarily found?
IgA is a secretory antibody found in mucosal surfaces.
What is the difference between the structure of IgM and IgG?
IgM is a pentamer while IgG is a monomer and the major circulating antibody.
What triggers the switch from IgM to other types of antibodies?
Signals from T cells and pathogens during the immune response.
What is somatic hypermutation?
The process of rapid proliferation and point mutations in B cells to increase antibody diversity.
What happens during affinity maturation?
Selection for B cells that have higher affinity receptors resulting in better binding antibodies.
What type of immune response do IgE antibodies mediate?
Allergic reactions and defense against parasitic infections.
Which antibody type is primarily involved in complement activation?
IgM.
What is the main difference between plasma cells and memory B cells?
Plasma cells produce antibodies, while memory B cells persist for long-term immunity.
What is the function of IgD?
Its function is largely unknown, but it is found in small amounts in the blood.
What is antibody class switching?
The process where B cells change the antibody type while maintaining the same antigen specificity.
What is the role of the light chain in antibodies?
The light chain contributes to the antigen-binding site and specificity of the antibody.
What triggers the expression of different constant regions in B cells?
Cytokines produced by T cells influence which heavy chain is expressed.
Why is IgG significant during a blood test?
It is the major circulating antibody and its presence indicates an immune response.
How does the antibody receptor specificity remain the same during class switching?
The variable region remains unchanged while the constant region is altered.
What is the significance of B cell memory?
It provides long-term protection against previously encountered pathogens.
What is the role of complement in antibody-mediated pathogen clearance?
Complement activates to enhance opsonization, cell lysis, and inflammation against pathogens.
What is a pentamer antibody and which one is an example?
A pentamer is a structure made of five antibody units; IgM is an example.
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