Question

In the adaptive immune system, name the ways in which an antibody can act as an adapter molecule to be effective?

Answer 1

Shortcomings of innate immunity

• Non- specific - similar pattern of response for all pathogens
• Poor regulation - control mechanism are poor or lacking
• Poor amplification - response magnitude same for all insults
• Lack of self discrimination - harm o self results for lack of specificity
• Short duration
• No memory

Adaptive immunity

• Lymphocytes

- pluripotent stem cells

- B cells

- T cells

• Antigen - a foreign molecule that elicits a response by lymphocytes ( viruses, bacteria, fungus, protozoa, parasitic worms)
• Antibodies - antigen - binding immunoglobulin, produced by B cells
• Antigen receptors - Plasma membrane receptors on B and T cells.

Priniciples of Adaptive immune response

• Specific recognition of individual antigens by immune cells via antigen receptors
• Clonal selection and expansion occuring after antigenic recognition called primary immunity. It is by generation of effector T cells and B cells
• Later exposure to the same antigen : Secondary response. It is by rapid proliferation of memory cells.

Red bone marrow produces stem cells which hleps in T cell and B cell production. This helps in specific reaction to microbial infection.

• Humoral immunity activates B cells. They recognizes specific antigens and makes antibody against them.
• Cell mediated immunity activates T cell. They also recognizes specific antigens and makes cytokines against them.

B cells are major cells involved in the antibody production. They circulate in the blood plasma and lymph. It is known as humoral immunity.

Steps in adaptive pathogen

1. Monocyte eats pathogen.
2. Reveals part of antigen on cell surface.
3. Receptor on helper T cell identifies antigen.
4. Helper T cells divides and triggers signals.
5. Killer T cells become activated to attack specific pathogen.
6. B cells become activated and produce antibodies.
7. Memory cells are produced in case of future infection.

Each antibody act as an adaptor molecule forming a bridge between the antigen and effector molecule.