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.