Skip to main content
Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses
Marieb - Human Anatomy & Physiology 11th Edition
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034Non è quello che usi tu?Cambia libro di testo
Capitolo 21, Problema 5

Small molecules that must combine with large proteins to become immunogenic are called:
a. Complete antigens
b. Kinins
c. Antigenic determinants
d. Haptens

Guida verificata passo dopo passo
1
Understand the key terms in the question: 'immunogenic' means capable of inducing an immune response, and 'small molecules' refers to molecules that by themselves cannot trigger this response effectively.
Recall that 'complete antigens' are large molecules that can independently stimulate an immune response without needing to combine with other molecules.
Recognize that 'haptens' are small molecules that are not immunogenic on their own but can become immunogenic when they bind to larger carrier proteins.
Eliminate options that do not fit the description: 'kinins' are peptides involved in inflammation, and 'antigenic determinants' (epitopes) are specific parts of an antigen recognized by immune cells, not small molecules themselves.
Conclude that the correct term for small molecules that must combine with large proteins to become immunogenic is 'haptens'.

Risposta video verificata per un problema simile:

Questa soluzione video è stata consigliata dai nostri tutor come utile per risolvere questo problema.
Durata del video:
2m

Concetti chiave

Ecco i concetti essenziali che devi comprendere per rispondere correttamente alla domanda.

Haptens

Haptens are small molecules that are not immunogenic by themselves but can elicit an immune response when attached to larger carrier proteins. They bind to antibodies or immune cells only after forming this complex, making them important in understanding immune recognition.

Complete Antigens

Complete antigens are molecules capable of inducing an immune response independently. They have both immunogenicity (ability to provoke immune response) and reactivity (ability to react with immune products), unlike haptens which require a carrier.
Video consigliato:

Antigenic Determinants (Epitopes)

Antigenic determinants, or epitopes, are specific parts of an antigen recognized by immune receptors like antibodies or T-cell receptors. They are the precise molecular structures that trigger immune recognition and response.
Video consigliato: