BIOS5050_Week_26_Lecture_1_and_2_slides

Antigen

A substance that can stimulate the production of antibodies, usually part of a foreign protein or carbohydrate.

Antibody

A protein produced by B cells that binds to specific antigens to neutralize or eliminate pathogens.

IgA

A class of antibody primarily found in mucosal areas, such as the gut, respiratory tract, and in secretions.

IgG

The main class of antibody found in blood and extracellular fluid, providing the majority of antibody-based immunity.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Antibodies that are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell, targeting a specific antigen.

Polyclonal Antibodies

Antibodies that are produced by different B cell lineages in response to a specific antigen, recognizing multiple epitopes.

Affinity

The strength of binding between a single antibody binding site and its specific antigen.

Avidity

The overall strength of binding between an antibody and an antigen, taking into account multiple binding sites.

T lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell that plays a central role in cell-mediated immunity.

B lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies against antigens.

Somatic hypermutation

The process by which B cells undergo mutations to enhance antibody affinity after antigen exposure.

Class switching

The process by which a B cell changes the class of antibody it produces without altering the specificity for the antigen.

MHC class I

Major Histocompatibility Complex class I molecules present peptides to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.

MHC class II

Major Histocompatibility Complex class II molecules present peptides to CD4+ helper T cells.

Immunoevasians

Molecules produced by viruses to evade the immune system by interfering with antigen presentation.

V(D)J recombination

The process during B cell development that leads to the generation of diverse antibody specificities.

Cytokines

Signaling proteins that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.

Dimeric IgA

A form of IgA that consists of two monomeric units, important for mucosal immunity.

Primary immune response

The initial response of the immune system when it first encounters a specific antigen.

Secondary immune response

The immune response upon re-exposure to an antigen, characterized by a quicker and more effective response.