Phl p 2: Difference between revisions
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Antibodies are made up of 2 pairs of light and heavy chains. The heavy chains of antibodies are specific to each isotope with: α, δ, ε, γ, and μ corresponding to: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM respectively. The light chain of the antibody is separated into two categories for mammals: lambda (λ) and kappa (κ). Antibodies are further differentiated into two regions: the constant region and the variable region. Like their names suggest, the constant region stays the same for its specific isotope however the variable region changes to accommodate many different antigens. The two ends of the variable region contain sites called Fabs which stands for fragment antigen binding region. This region is the area where the beta sheets of the antibody bind specifically to antigens. The constant region of the antibody is made up of 2 heavy chains specific to each isotope. This region is also called the Fc region or the fragment, crystallizable region. This end of the antibody mediates the next step of immune response for the given isotype which in turn allows for different types of responses. | Antibodies are made up of 2 pairs of light and heavy chains. The heavy chains of antibodies are specific to each isotope with: α, δ, ε, γ, and μ corresponding to: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM respectively. The light chain of the antibody is separated into two categories for mammals: lambda (λ) and kappa (κ). Antibodies are further differentiated into two regions: the constant region and the variable region. Like their names suggest, the constant region stays the same for its specific isotope however the variable region changes to accommodate many different antigens. The two ends of the variable region contain sites called Fabs which stands for fragment antigen binding region. This region is the area where the beta sheets of the antibody bind specifically to antigens. The constant region of the antibody is made up of 2 heavy chains specific to each isotope. This region is also called the Fc region or the fragment, crystallizable region. This end of the antibody mediates the next step of immune response for the given isotype which in turn allows for different types of responses. | ||
[[Image:Antibody_basic_structure.gif]] | [[Image:Antibody_basic_structure.gif|left|thumb|450px]] | ||
==Type I Hypersensitivity== | ==Type I Hypersensitivity== | ||