Question

Draw and describe the structure of an antibody. Label the parts that make up the antibody. Describe the components that make up an antibody and explain how and where it binds to a specific antigen. (Please include the following terms: variable region, constant region, antigen, epitope, antigen-binding site, Fab region, Fc region)

Answer 1

Antibodies are immunoglobulins . each antibody consists of four plypeptides that are 2 heavy chains and 2 light chains which together forms a Y shaped molecule. variable region consists of the ends of both the light and heavy chain .this region is composed of 110 to 130 amino acids which gives the antibody its specificity for binding antigen.when treated with protease this region will cleave this region and produces the Fab antigen . this fab antigen binding region consists of the variable ends of an antibody. The constant region looks into the mechanism which has to be used to destroy antigens.

Through weak chemical interactions antibodies will bind antigens . the forces that are involved depending on the interaction sites are van der waals forces, electrostatic interactions,hydrophobic intereactions and hydrogen bonds.the region on the antigen that the antibody recognizes and binds is known as the epitode.