Give a short overview of the antibody/antigen response.?

Question

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Answer 1

Antibodies (Ab) are produced by B-lymphocytes in response to foreign antigens (Ags).

The variable region of the Abs are made to be complementary to epitopes (regions recognised by the immune systm) of the foreign Ag. So when Abs are secreted by B-cells they attach to the epitopes of the foreign Ags so that they can be easily cleared from the body. i.e. destroyed by complement mediated lysis or ingested by phagocytes

The first type of Ab made by the B-cells are subtype IgM (in the primary response) and some IgG is made a few days later. In the secondary response to the same Ag, IgG is the major subtype produced & in greater quantities.