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Antibody Class Switching quiz

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  • What is the first class of antibody produced by plasma cells after B cell activation?
    The first class of antibody produced is IgM.
  • What process allows plasma cells to change the class of antibody they produce?
    The process is called antibody class switching.
  • During antibody class switching, which region of the antibody gene undergoes genetic rearrangement?
    The constant region of the antibody gene undergoes genetic rearrangement.
  • Does the variable region of the antibody change during class switching?
    No, the variable region remains unchanged during class switching.
  • Why does the new antibody class after switching retain specificity for the same antigen epitope?
    Because the variable region, which determines antigen specificity, does not change.
  • How many antibody classes are B cells initially programmed to produce?
    B cells are initially programmed with genes for all five antibody classes.
  • Which antibody gene segment is expressed first in B cells?
    The gene segment that is 'first in line,' typically IgM, is expressed first.
  • What happens to the DNA segments coding for IgM and IgD during class switching to IgG?
    The DNA segments coding for IgM and IgD are deleted, allowing IgG to be expressed.
  • What is the main function of antibody class switching?
    It allows plasma cells to produce different classes of antibodies while maintaining antigen specificity.
  • What triggers the production of antibody classes other than IgM?
    Genetic rearrangement and deletion of certain constant region gene segments trigger the production of other antibody classes.
  • After class switching, which antibody class is produced if the IgG gene segment is first in line?
    IgG will be produced if its gene segment is first in line.
  • What structural feature distinguishes IgM from other antibody classes?
    IgM is a pentamer, consisting of five identical subunits.
  • Can plasma cells switch from producing IgM to IgA or IgE?
    Yes, plasma cells can switch to producing IgA or IgE through class switching.
  • What ensures that only one antibody class is produced at a time by a plasma cell?
    Only the gene segment first in line after DNA rearrangement is expressed, ensuring one class is produced.
  • Why is antibody class switching important for the immune response?
    It enables a diverse and adaptable antibody response to pathogens by allowing different antibody classes to be produced from the same B cell lineage.