Questions and Answers
Which cell is responsible for producing antibodies?
What type of molecule is an antibody?
Which region of an antibody determines its function?
Which antibody isotypes is most abundant in serum?
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What is one function of IgE antibodies?
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Where are B cells primarily located?
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What happens when B cells are activated?
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Which antibody class is involved in mediating allergic reactions?
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Which cells mediate the adaptive immune response?
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What happens to lymphocytes that recognize self molecules during development?
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Which process occurs first during lymphocyte activation?
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What is the fate of lymphocytes that recognize antigens in the absence of co-stimulation?
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What facilitates the return of naive lymphocytes to the blood?
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Where do naive lymphocytes migrate from blood to lymph nodes?
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Following recognition of antigen and clonal expansion, where do effector lymphocytes migrate?
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Where are lymphocytes found?
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Study Notes
B Lymphocytes
- Recognize pathogens (antigens) via the B cell receptor (surface antibody, sIg)
- Produce antibody and mediate the humoral arm of adaptive response
- Reside in lymphatic tissues
B Cell Activation
- When activated, B cells divide and form plasma cells or memory cells
- Plasma cells produce large quantities of antibody and are long lived
Antibody Molecules
- Y-shaped molecules composed of 4 x polypeptide chains
- Comprise variable and constant regions
- Have 2 antigen-binding sites on variable regions
- Constant region determines the function of the antibody
Antibody Functions
- Activate complement proteins
- Coat (opsonise) microbes
- Neutralise viruses
- Neutralise toxins
Classes of Antibody
- IgG: neutralises antigens, activates complement, opsonin (mediates phagocytosis), crosses placenta, most abundant antibody in serum, in interstitial fluid
- IgM: neutralising antibody, agglutinates antigens, activates complement, in serum and on mucosal surfaces
- IgA: neutralising antibody, main antibody in external secretions
- IgE: activates mast cells, eosinophils and basophils, mediates anti-parasitic response, mediates allergic reactions
- IgD: function unclear, B cell receptor
Adaptive Immune Response
- Mediated by B and T lymphocytes
- Clonal Selection Theory: four principles
- Each lymphocyte bears a single type of receptor of unique specificity
- Interaction between foreign antigen and lymphocyte receptor leads to lymphocyte activation
- Activated lymphocytes proliferate clonally and differentiate into effector cells
- Lymphocytes bearing receptors specific for self molecules are deleted at an early stage in lymphoid cell development
Lymphocyte Activation
- Comprises recognition of antigen via lymphocyte receptors, co-stimulation, and clonal proliferation of activated cells
- Results in the generation of numerous identical effector cells
- Lymphocytes recognising antigen in the absence of co-stimulation become "anergic"
Lymphocyte Movements
- Found in BM, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, MALT
- Naive lymphocytes migrate from blood to lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue via high endothelial venules (HEVs)
- Return to the blood via efferent lymphatics which drain into left subclavian vein via left thoracic duct
- Following recognition of antigen and clonal expansion, effector lymphocytes leave lymphatics and migrate to sites of injury
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Description
This quiz covers the functions and characteristics of B lymphocytes, including antibody production, pathogen recognition, and the structure of antibody molecules.
