Antibodies - Basics

What are antibodies the secreted form of?

B cell receptors (BCRs)

What does bivalent structure mean in antibodies?

They have two identical antigen-binding sites

What types of antigens can antibodies bind?

Native antigens (almost any biological molecule)

Why are antibodies described as monoclonal?

Each individual B cell produces a unique antibody

Why are antibodies useful biological tools?

High specificity, high affinity, easy to purify

Which cells secrete large quantities of antibodies?

Plasma cells (differentiated B cells)

What molecules can antibodies bind?

Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids

Why is antibody binding often high affinity?

Somatic hypermutation (SHM)