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Antibodies (1 Viewer)

nesstar

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Would someone plz clarify what antibodies actually do? Are they just like markers?
 

bluesky100

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HTH:

Antibodies are produced by a process called clonal selection:
- Specific Th cell aissists appropriate B cell to recognise antigen at surface of macrophage.
- B cells reproduce by mitosis forming a clone of identical B cells
- some become plasma cells that produce antibodies.
- some become memory cells.

Antibodies:
-are proteins produced by immune system in response to particular antigen
- each has a shape, in part complementary to the antigen that caused its production
- antibodies are also called immunoglobulins (Ig);
- IgG - most abundant, cross placenta, in milk.
- IgA - in saliva, tears and milk.
- IgM - active against some viruses and bacteria (as are IgG and IgA)
- IgE - involved in allergy reactions.


Info from VCE study pack, Biology, Unit 3: Leslie R., Martin M., Kinnear J.
 

iambored

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yeah they are just like markers. they are released (from B lymphocytes) and then they go and mark the bad cells for destruction.

there are heaps of types of B lymphocytes and they each carry specific antibodies that recognise specific antigens (bad cells). so when there is an infection only the B lymphocytes that are needed for the infection divide, not all of them.
 
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xiao1985

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some anitbodies can actually deactivate pathogens by blocking their active sites... or make the previous soluable pathogens coagulate, by gathering more pathogens together...
 

nesstar

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thanks so much

another question:
What processes occur in order for those specific B cells to produce their specific antibodies?
I was discussing this with a friend and we got a bit confused. I know that the T helper cells are the ones that activate the B lymphocytes, but where do those T cells get their information from?
 

xiao1985

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nesstar said:
thanks so much

another question:
What processes occur in order for those specific B cells to produce their specific antibodies?
I was discussing this with a friend and we got a bit confused. I know that the T helper cells are the ones that activate the B lymphocytes, but where do those T cells get their information from?
i believe:

helper t cell come in contact with antigen, it becomes a antigen presenting cell, and at the same time releases a chemical, called interleukin2... up on contact of a antigen presenting cell or interleukin2, the b cells will mature and spcialise into either plasma cells (producing antibodies) or memory cells, (which remembers the correct antibody produced...
 

lukebennett

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the antibody when in contact with the antigen, locks on to form an antigen-antibody complex which destroys the antigen by breaking it apart
 

Tala Grey

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That makes sense. And so that triggers the inflammatory response.
 

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