Antibody Genes Flashcards Preview

MS1 - Blood & Lymph > Antibody Genes > Flashcards

Flashcards in Antibody Genes Deck (9)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Cross-reactivity refers to ____________.

A

the ability of one antibody to react to more than one antigen (sometimes with similar amino acid sequences and sometimes not–with similar charge/hydrophilicity distributions)

2
Q

A toxoid is a substance _________.

A

whose toxicity has been negated by chemical addition but whose immogenicity is still intact

3
Q

Affinity maturation is _________.

A

the process by which antibodies become more matched to their antigen by slight modifications

4
Q

Describe the process behind rheumatic heart disease.

A

Laminin (found in heart valves) cross-reacts with group A streptococci. When antibody is made for group A strep, it can then bind to laminin sufficiently enough to produce symptoms.

5
Q

The variable region of the heavy chain expresses ______, while the variable region of the light chain expresses only ____.

A

VDJ; VJ

6
Q

In a heavy chain, ___ first joins with ____ before the complex joins with _____.

A

D; J; V

7
Q

Constant regions are ________.

A

spliced out of the primary mRNA transcript

8
Q

The enzymes that initiate recombination of B cell genes are called _______.

A

RAG-1 and RAG-2 (lack of which occurs in Omenn syndrome)

9
Q

What is the N region?

A

The region where VDJ segments join (so between V and DJ as well as D and J).

Decks in MS1 - Blood & Lymph Class (60):