Overview of Antibodies

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Questions and Answers

What role do antibodies play in relation to pathogens?

They break down pathogens directly.

They facilitate phagocytes' ability to engulf pathogens. (correct)

They inhibit the production of lymphocytes.

They replicate pathogens for identification.

Which statement accurately describes monoclonal antibodies?

They are specific to a unique antigenic sequence. (correct)

They have a broad range of binding sites for various antigens.

They can be produced from multiple animal sources.

They only neutralize bacterial toxins.

What is the major difference between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies?

Polyclonal antibodies have a specific binding site for one antigen type.

Polyclonal antibodies can recognize diverse variations of an antigen, while monoclonal antibodies cannot. (correct)

Monoclonal antibodies are exclusively used for cancer treatment.

Monoclonal antibodies are produced by hybridomas, while polyclonal antibodies come from two or more species.

How are monoclonal antibodies mass-produced?

Fusing spleen cells with tumor cells to create hybridomas. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common application of monoclonal antibodies in medical diagnosis?

To detect specific antigens in urine or tissue samples. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to spleen cells after they are removed from the animal during monoclonal antibody production?

They are fused with tumor cells to create hybridomas. Signup and view all the answers

In cancer treatment, how do monoclonal antibodies function?

They identify and neutralize tumor markers on cancer cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is an incorrect statement regarding the production of monoclonal antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies can only be produced using human spleen cells. Signup and view all the answers

Why are enzymes relevant to the action of antibodies?

Enzymes can catalyze reactions that break down pathogens bound to antibodies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the variable region in an antibody?

It enables antibodies to recognize a specific antigen. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about antibody structure is correct?

Antibodies are typically Y-shaped molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What role do hinge regions play in antibody function?

They provide flexibility for binding to multiple antigens. Signup and view all the answers

How do antibodies neutralize pathogens?

By binding to toxins produced by the pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do antibodies promote agglutination?

By binding to multiple antigens simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What component of an antibody remains unchanged across different antibody molecules?

The constant region. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of an antibody's structure is critical for its specificity to a particular antigen?

The variable region. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of antibodies that bind to viral attachment proteins?

To neutralize the virus's ability to infect host cells. Signup and view all the answers

Why are antibodies classified as glycoproteins?

They contain a sugar component in their structure. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of antibodies helps them to bind efficiently to phagocytes?

The constant region. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Antibodies

Antibodies are glycoproteins specialized for recognizing specific antigens.
Their unique structure defines their function and specificity.
Antibodies are complementary in shape to their specific antigens.

Antibody Structure

Antibodies have a Y-shaped structure consisting of four polypeptide chains: two heavy chains and two light chains.
A constant region is present in every antibody, facilitating binding to phagocytes.
The variable region, unique to each antibody, serves as the antigen binding site, akin to an enzyme's active site.
Flexible hinge regions allow the Y-shaped branches to move apart, enhancing the ability to bind to multiple antigens.

Antibody Functions

Neutralisation

Antibodies neutralize toxins produced by pathogens by binding to and inactivating them.
They can block viral infections by binding to viral attachment proteins, preventing viruses from infecting cells.

Agglutination

Antibodies can clump multiple pathogens together, making infections less likely and facilitating easier engulfment by phagocytes.

Marking

Antibodies tagged to pathogens signal phagocytes and lymphocytes, directing immune response toward the pathogens.

Lysis

Enzymes can bind to antibodies linked to pathogens, catalyzing reactions that dismantle bacteria bound to these antibodies.

Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies target specific antigenic sequences with high specificity.
Polyclonal antibodies recognize diverse variations of a particular antigen, allowing recognition of mutants or species differences.

Functions of Monoclonal Antibodies

Used in poisoning treatment, neutralizing various toxins in patients.
Employed in cancer therapies targeting tumor-specific antigens to destroy cancer cells and recruit immune cells.
Utilized in medical diagnostics, such as pregnancy tests detecting human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in urine samples.

Producing Monoclonal Antibodies

The hybridoma method is used for mass production of monoclonal antibodies:
- Mice are injected with an antigen to stimulate an immune response, producing antibodies.
- Spleen cells, responsible for lymphocyte production, are extracted from the mouse.
- These spleen cells are fused with myeloma cells, creating hybridoma cells capable of indefinite division and monoclonal antibody production.
- Hybridoma cells are cultured in the lab for antibody production.
- The resulting monoclonal antibodies are harvested for further applications.

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Description

This quiz explores the structure and functions of antibodies, including their unique glycoprotein composition and specific roles in immune response. You will learn about the Y-shaped structure, key regions of antibodies, and their functions such as neutralization and agglutination. Test your knowledge on how antibodies interact with antigens.