VBS 2032 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Memory B Cell, Alkaline Phosphatase, 16S Ribosomal Rna
6 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
Antibodies: antibodies are made by activated na ve b cells that have differentiated to become plasma cells. B cells can be found in the spleen or secondary lymphoid tissues (tonsils or lymph nodes). Antibodies attach to the surface of the pathogen, blocking motility, clumping them together, and flagging them for phagocytosis. Antibodies promote phagocytosis by crosslinking many cells together into big mouthfuls. The upper prongs (fab) interact with the antigens/epitopes on the pathogen cell, and the fc region or lower tail interacts with the phagocyte. There is a variable region on each prong that determines what epitope the antibody will respond to. Igg: y shaped longest living antibody that also acts as an opsonin. Most abundant in blood and tissues, and facilitates phagocytosis. They are the first antibodies produced and the principle antibodies produced in t independent response. Iga: most abundant antibody present in secretions and protects mucous membranes. Two y structures are attached tail to tail.
