28 Questions
What is the primary role of Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs)?
To capture, process, and present antigenic peptides to T cells
Which of the following is considered a 'professional' Antigen Presenting Cell (APC)?
Macrophages
Why do T cells require that antigens be captured, processed, and presented in a specific way by APCs?
T cells require the antigen to be displayed on MHC molecules for recognition
What is the primary function of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules expressed on APCs?
To display antigenic peptides for recognition by T cells
Which of the following is a key difference between MHC class I and MHC class II molecules?
All of the above
What is the main function of MHC class I molecules?
Regulate immune responses to intracellular parasites
Which component is part of the structure of MHC class II molecules but not of MHC class I molecules?
β1 chain
What is the role of MHC class II molecules in the immune response?
Important for binding and activation of CD4+ T cells
Why do many different peptides bind to the same MHC molecule?
Low affinity and broad specificity binding
Which type of T cells require MHC class I molecules for activation?
CD8+ T cells
Why is stable expression of MHC molecules important?
To display bound peptides long enough for T cell recognition
What is the first step in the antigen presentation process described in the text?
Antigen capture and transport to lymph node
Which type of antigens are primarily involved in the process of antigen uptake?
Exogenous antigens
During their migration to lymph nodes, what happens to dendritic cells?
They mature
What is the role of mature dendritic cells in antigen processing?
Load peptides onto MHC molecules
What occurs after limited proteolysis of antigens to peptides in the antigen presentation process?
Antigen-MHC complex formation
Which step involves the transport and expression of peptide-MHC complexes on cell surfaces?
Antigen presentation
What type of cells are responsible for trapping viral antigens circulating in the body fluids?
Macrophages
Which antigens are generated within cells as a result of normal cell metabolism or intracellular infections?
Endogenous antigens
What type of molecules are histocompatibility antigens, like MHC and HLA?
Proteins
Which type of antigen is recognized by the immune system in patients with autoimmune diseases?
Autoantigens
What class of antigens leads to excessive activation of the immune system?
Superantigens
Which cells can be infected by viruses and present some antigens that can trigger an immune response?
Macrophages
What is the defining characteristic of high molecular weight antigens?
They are typically proteins or polysaccharides
What is the role of a carrier molecule for a hapten?
It acts as a complete antigen to induce an immune response
Which of the following is NOT a property that makes a molecule an effective antigen?
Oral administration
What is the term used to describe the immunologically active regions of an antigen that bind to lymphocyte receptors or antibodies?
Epitopes
What is the defining characteristic of low molecular weight antigens?
They have a molecular weight less than 10,000 daltons
Test your knowledge on the classification of antigens based on their molecular weight and properties. Learn about high molecular weight antigens like proteins and polysaccharides, as well as low molecular weight antigens. Explore how antigens can induce immune responses and the role of carrier molecules.
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