EK Immune Lecture Exam Question

[deleted388502]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Which of the following statements concerning the immune system is NOT true?
A. Plasma cells which provide immunity against one disease may also provide immunity against a closely related disease
B. Two antibodies from the same plasma cell must bind to the same antigen type
C. Plasma cells arise from T lymphocytes
D. Memory B cells help the immune system to respond to the same antigen more quickly during a secondary immune response

So it's obviously C through POE, but I have issues with A. I didn't like EK's explanation of it, because they basically said something about mad cow and didn't explain the biological reasoning behind this. If plasma cells produce one unique antibody that binds to one unique antigen, which I have learned through TPRH passages is also why we struggle with vaccinations because changing one amino acid on the virus can stop the antibody from fighting it, why is A true? Just hoping to understand the science behind this.

Thanks!

 

[sillyjoe]

Which of the following statements concerning the immune system is NOT true?
A. Plasma cells which provide immunity against one disease may also provide immunity against a closely related disease
B. Two antibodies from the same plasma cell must bind to the same antigen type
C. Plasma cells arise from T lymphocytes
D. Memory B cells help the immune system to respond to the same antigen more quickly during a secondary immune response

So it's obviously C through POE, but I have issues with A. I didn't like EK's explanation of it, because they basically said something about mad cow and didn't explain the biological reasoning behind this. If plasma cells produce one unique antibody that binds to one unique antigen, which I have learned through TPRH passages is also why we struggle with vaccinations because changing one amino acid on the virus can stop the antibody from fighting it, why is A true? Just hoping to understand the science behind this.

Thanks!

There are examples where an antibody can bind to a similar organism because the antibody is to a surface antigen contained on both. For simplicity, lets just say that you can find examples where an antibody from a plasma cell will bind to two similar bacteria because they present similar/same antigen. I believe a TBR passage eventually discusses how an antigen to Neisseria lactamica can provide effective resistance to an infection by Neisseria meningitidis.


While you are correct in your thinking that vaccinations against rapidly mutating viruses present a unique and challenging obstacle as in the case of HIV, it doesn't negate the fact that A can occur in some situations.

It's all about choosing the best answer which you did 😉 because A can be true in some cases while C is absurd and will never occur.

 

[deleted388502]

Thanks @sillyjoe, you da bomb.com

 

[sillyjoe]

Thanks @sillyjoe, you da bomb.com