Microbiology and Immunology 3300B Lecture : Immunology Notes
20 Feb 2012
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How does an immune system that is evolutionarily conserved and slow to change respond to pathogens that can change rapidly. B cell receptors, t cell receptors, and antibodies function as adaptor molecules that are capable of recognizing lots of pathogens. The immune system is capable of generating millions of receptors (prrs). B cell receptors and antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains linked by disulphide bonds. The light chains can be or (have the same general size and shape). The light chain is used more often. The heavy chains can be , , , , or . The antibody type is defined by the heavy chains. The light and heavy chains are composed of constant and variable regions. The antigen binding sites are located at the adaptor end of the molecule in the variable region, and this surface interacts with epitopes. The flexible hinge allows the molecule to conform to many shapes.
