Table of Contents
Is it possible for two different antibodies to recognize the same antigen?
It is possible for two or more different antigens to have an epitope in common. In these cases, antibodies targeted to one antigen are able to react with all other antigens carrying the same epitope. Such antigens are known as cross-reacting antigens.
How do antibodies neutralize pathogens?
1) Antibodies are secreted into the blood and mucosa, where they bind to and inactivate foreign substances such as pathogens and toxins (neutralization). 2) Antibodies activate the complement system to destroy bacterial cells by lysis (punching holes in the cell wall).
What do antigens and antibodies look like?
Antigens are molecules capable of stimulating an immune response. Each antigen has distinct surface features, or epitopes, resulting in specific responses. Antibodies (immunoglobins) are Y-shaped proteins produced by B cells of the immune system in response to exposure to antigens.
What is it called if antigens are cross linked and clumping occurs?
Agglutination reaction It acts on antigen-antibody reaction in which the antibodies cross-link particulate antigens resulting in the visible clumping of the particle. There are two types, namely active and passive agglutination.
How can T cells recognize antigens?
How do T cells recognize antigens? Each T cell has a unique T cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes a specific antigen. TCRs recognize an antigen when they bind with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of other cells.
What happens when an antibody recognizes an antigen?
Antibodies attack antigens by binding to them. The binding of an antibody to a toxin, for example, can neutralize the poison simply by changing its chemical composition; such antibodies are called antitoxins.
Do antibodies neutralize antigens?
When a vertebrate is infected with a virus, antibodies are produced against many epitopes on multiple virus proteins. A subset of these antibodies can block virus infection by a process that is called neutralization. Antibodies can neutralize viral infectivity in a number of ways, as summarized in the illustration.