Immunogenetics: Structure of Lymphocyte Antigen Receptors

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Questions and Answers

What is a key difference between the antigen receptors of B and T lymphocytes?

T lymphocyte antigen receptors recognize diverse antigens, while B cell antigen receptors only function as membrane receptors.

B lymphocyte antigen receptors recognize only peptides bound to MHC molecules, while T cell antigen receptors are able to recognize many types of chemical structures.

B lymphocyte antigen receptors recognize diverse antigens, while T cell antigen receptors primarily recognize peptides bound to MHC molecules. (correct)

T lymphocyte antigen receptors recognize peptides bound to MHC molecules, while B cell antigen receptors are able to recognize many types of chemical structures.

How do B lymphocyte antigen receptors differ from those of T lymphocytes in terms of recognition properties?

B lymphocyte antigen receptors can only recognize peptides bound to MHC molecules, unlike T cell antigen receptors that recognize diverse antigens.

B lymphocyte antigen receptors can recognize a wide array of chemical structures, unlike T cell antigen receptors that mainly recognize peptides bound to MHC molecules. (correct)

T lymphocyte antigen receptors can recognize diverse antigens, while B cell antigen receptors primarily recognize peptides bound to MHC molecules.

T lymphocyte antigen receptors can recognize a variety of chemical structures, unlike B cell antigen receptors that only function as membrane receptors.

What is the role of proteins associated with the antigen receptors in B and T lymphocytes?

Bind directly with antigens for recognition

Facilitate signal transmission to the lymphocytes (correct)

Generate diversity in receptor structures

Transport antigens across the cell membrane

How do single antigen receptors typically lead to signaling in B and T lymphocytes?

Through binding with adjacent antigen molecules Signup and view all the answers

Which cells express membrane-bound antibodies as antigen receptors?

B lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

What important role do antibodies play in the function of B lymphocytes?

Recognition of various chemical structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the principal function of cellular receptors in the immune system?

Detect external stimuli Signup and view all the answers

How do B and T lymphocytes differ in terms of antigen recognition?

B cells use membrane-bound antibodies, while T cells use TCRs Signup and view all the answers

Why do antigen receptors of lymphocytes need to be able to distinguish between many closely related chemical structures?

To bind to a large variety of different antigens Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean that antigen receptors are clonally distributed?

Every lymphocyte has a unique receptor Signup and view all the answers

Which immune cells express membrane-bound antibodies for antigen recognition?

B lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of effector T cells in adaptive immunity?

Recognize antigens to initiate responses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antigen Receptors and Lymphocyte Recognition

Antigen receptors of lymphocytes recognize extremely diverse antigens and transmit activating signals to the cells.
The antigen receptors of B and T lymphocytes have several features that are important for their functions in adaptive immunity.
Antibodies (also called immunoglobulins) may be expressed as membrane receptors or secreted proteins; TCRs only function as membrane receptors.

Structure of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors and attached signaling proteins form the B cell receptor (BCR) and TCR complexes.
Antibodies recognize many types of chemical structures, while most T cell antigen receptors recognize only peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.

Function of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors serve critical roles in the maturation of lymphocytes from progenitors and in all adaptive immune responses.
The principal function of antigen receptors is to detect external stimuli (antigens) and trigger responses of the cells on which the receptors are expressed.

Lymphocyte Repertoire

Antigen receptors are clonally distributed, meaning that each lymphocyte clone is specific for a distinct antigen and has a unique receptor.
The total number of distinct lymphocyte clones is very large, and this entire collection makes up the immune repertoire.
The diversity of antigen recognition implies the existence of many structurally different antigen receptor proteins, more than can be encoded in the inherited genome (germline).

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Description

Explore the structure of lymphocyte antigen receptors and the development of immune repertoires in immunogenetics. Learn about the critical roles of antigen receptors in the maturation of lymphocytes and adaptive immune responses.