Concept explainers
Why is it essential that antibodies and T-cell receptors bind only large molecules (such as proteins) and not small molecules (such as amino acids)?
To determine:
The reason that why it is essential for antibodies and T cell receptors to bind only to large molecules and not to small molecules.
Introduction:
The end of each arm of heavy and light chain consists of variable region which provides a site for antigen binding. The amino acid sequences of variable regions of the antibody are different in all antibody molecules. Due to this, each antigen has its specific antibodies and each antibody binds to a specific antigen. By recognizing an antigen of a specific type a specific antibody is released to target it which makes an immune response more effective.
Explanation of Solution
An immunogen is that organism or pathogen which is responsible for stimulating an immune response in the body. An immunogen must have three characteristics in order to evoke an immune response. They should have high molecular weight, foreignness, and chemical complexity in order to be recognized and binding with the antibodies.
Antibodies along with other target-specific immune cells like T cell receptors bind to large molecules only. It is because the antigen or pathogens have a large pattern of peptide chain some part of which may resemble amino acid sequences of other essential proteins of the body. To avoid any confusion or overreaction of immune cells in the body, the antibodies bind to large molecules rather than small molecules. Also, small molecules do not facilitate cross-linking of antibodies and could
If target-specific immune cells attack small molecules like amino acids, there could be the destruction of normal cells by the antibodies or overreaction of immune cells by the attack in the body. Thus, antibodies have developed a method to recognize the protein pattern or overall structure of antigens and destroying them without damaging the normal and healthy cell or their components.
Immunity cells like natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells recognize cancerous cells by their different surface protein patterns. They recognize these cells as foreign or nonself cells of the body due to unusual protein pattern on them and kill them. In order to elicit an effective immune response, antibodies recognize the overall structure of antigen and bind to the large molecules only as small molecules are not capable of eliciting an immune response.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 37 Solutions
Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology Plus Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package (11th Edition)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Microbiology with Diseases by Body System (5th Edition)
Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy (8th Edition)
Marine Biology (Botany, Zoology, Ecology and Evolution)
Seeley's Anatomy & Physiology
- What are the different types of T cells, and what function does each have?arrow_forwardWhich is/are involved in reacting to virus-infected cells? If you think more than one are involved, then select the answer that includes all of the relevant components. Choose one: - B cells AND T cytotoxic cells - T cytotoxic cells, AND MHC I - MHC I - B cells - T cytotoxic cellsarrow_forwardWhich of the following among A-D is not a characteristic of T cells? A) O Cytotoxic T cells can kill vius-infected cells. 111 B) O Cytotoxic T cells respond to antigen bound to MHC class I molecules, 0 O Certain T helper cells bind to and activate macrophages and dendritic cells. D) O Certain T helper cells activate B cells for antibody production. E) O All the above are characteristics of T cells.arrow_forward
- You can choose one or more than one option Antibodies: IMMUNOLOGY basic have two identical antigen-binding sites. consist of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. are secreted by plasma cells are produced by T lymphocytes during adaptive immune response can bind their constant heavy chain region to phagocytes Which of the following proteins are transmembrane proteins? CELL BIOLOGY basic integrin oestrogen receptor phospholipase C adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase growth factor receptor What are the correct statements? MOLECULAR BIOLOGY advanced A mutation located within a promoter can change the gene expression. An mRNA can be differentially spliced according to the tissue. RNA transcribed by the RNA polymerase II are translated The end of the transcription process requires a specific DNA sequence A reverse transcriptase can polymerise either a DNA or an RNA strand. Which of the following cells kill other cells by exocytosis of…arrow_forwardDo T cells bear a cell-surface receptor capable of recognizing a specific antigen?arrow_forwardHow are antibodies unique? Please discuss the structure of an antibody. What are the V and C regions? Discuss how the few hundred genes involved are capable of making endless amounts of antibodies. Besides medical treatment what is another way antibodies can be used?arrow_forward
- All of the following cells directly incorporate antigens into their structures, EXCEPT: A). Antigen presenting cells. B). Helper T cells C). B cells D). Killer T cellsarrow_forwardWhich of the following are elements of the structure of antibodies? Select all that apply. The antigen-binding sites are unique to each antibody. Each antibody has three binding sites for antigens. The antigen-binding sites of each antibody can bind to multiple antigen types. Four polypeptide chains are joined in a Y-shaped configuration.arrow_forwardHow could you distinguish the type of T cell that is active in an immune response? What outcomes would you be looking for to help determine which T cell is producing that result? Explain and provide examples.arrow_forward
- Which of the following is TRUE regarding Gram negative bacteria? a- Their cell wall is composed of a large proportion of sugars b- Their cell wall does not absorb the Gram stain and turns pink c- Their cell wall is composed of a small proportion of peptidoglycan d- Two of the above statements are true Which T-lymphocytes activate the B-cell response? 1- suppressor T-cells. 2- cytotoxic T-cells. 3- helper T-cells. 4- memory T-cells. Substances that are injected containing an antigen to stimulate the immune system to respond are called a- antibodies b- medications. c- vaccines d- antibioticsarrow_forwardUse the following choices for the next set of questions. A choice may be used zero or more times: a)MHC class I b) MHC class Il C) both MHC class I and II d) neither MHC class | or II e) cannot be determined 21) expressed on T cells 22) captures antigens present in endosomes 23) strongly affected by proteasomal inhibition 24) downregulated by many viruses 25) the genes responsible for expression are monomorphic, meaning that identical alleles are shared throughout the populationarrow_forwardWhich of the following are true of interferons? Select all that apply. O They are a critical part of the innate immune system in fighting bacterial infections O They are a part of the second line of defense against viruses O They degrade viral DNA O They are signaling molecules produced by infected cells to help uninfected cells defend themselves agains viruses O They are part of innate immunity O They are part of adaptive immunity and are "trained" by the immune system to eliminate specific pathogensarrow_forward
- Human Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305112100Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage LearningHuman Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage LearningConcepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College
- Biology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStax