Immunology: Antigens Classification Quiz

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the primary role of Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs)?

To regulate the immune response through cytokine production

To produce antibodies against microbial antigens

To capture, process, and present antigenic peptides to T cells (correct)

To directly kill pathogens through phagocytosis

Which of the following is considered a 'professional' Antigen Presenting Cell (APC)?

Macrophages (correct)

Fibroblasts

Endothelial cells

Activated T cells

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 (correct)

T cells are unable to directly interact with antigenic peptides

T cells can only interact with complex microbial antigens

T cells can only respond to protein antigens, not other types of chemical antigens

What is the primary function of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules expressed on APCs?

To display antigenic peptides for recognition by T cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between MHC class I and MHC class II molecules?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of MHC class I molecules?

Regulate immune responses to intracellular parasites Signup and view all the answers

Which component is part of the structure of MHC class II molecules but not of MHC class I molecules?

β1 chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of MHC class II molecules in the immune response?

Important for binding and activation of CD4+ T cells Signup and view all the answers

Why do many different peptides bind to the same MHC molecule?

Low affinity and broad specificity binding Signup and view all the answers

Which type of T cells require MHC class I molecules for activation?

CD8+ T cells Signup and view all the answers

Why is stable expression of MHC molecules important?

To display bound peptides long enough for T cell recognition Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the antigen presentation process described in the text?

Antigen capture and transport to lymph node Signup and view all the answers

Which type of antigens are primarily involved in the process of antigen uptake?

Exogenous antigens Signup and view all the answers

During their migration to lymph nodes, what happens to dendritic cells?

They mature Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mature dendritic cells in antigen processing?

Load peptides onto MHC molecules Signup and view all the answers

What occurs after limited proteolysis of antigens to peptides in the antigen presentation process?

Antigen-MHC complex formation Signup and view all the answers

Which step involves the transport and expression of peptide-MHC complexes on cell surfaces?

Antigen presentation Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells are responsible for trapping viral antigens circulating in the body fluids?

Macrophages Signup and view all the answers

Which antigens are generated within cells as a result of normal cell metabolism or intracellular infections?

Endogenous antigens Signup and view all the answers

What type of molecules are histocompatibility antigens, like MHC and HLA?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which type of antigen is recognized by the immune system in patients with autoimmune diseases?

Autoantigens Signup and view all the answers

What class of antigens leads to excessive activation of the immune system?

Superantigens Signup and view all the answers

Which cells can be infected by viruses and present some antigens that can trigger an immune response?

Macrophages Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of high molecular weight antigens?

They are typically proteins or polysaccharides Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a carrier molecule for a hapten?

It acts as a complete antigen to induce an immune response Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a property that makes a molecule an effective antigen?

Oral administration Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the immunologically active regions of an antigen that bind to lymphocyte receptors or antibodies?

Epitopes Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of low molecular weight antigens?

They have a molecular weight less than 10,000 daltons Signup and view all the answers