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An antibody reacts to what antigen?
An antibody reacts to the specific antigen it is made to attach to. It is like the lock and key model; it locks onto the antigen.
Why are antibodies specific for certain antigens?
Antibodies binds to specific region in an antigen. Antibodies recognizes the part of an antigen and binds to specific region. Part of an antigen recognised by the antibody and binds is know as Antigenic Determinant or Epitope. Antibodies are generated by a sub set of immune cells called B cells. The main receptor for these cells are antibodies, although while they're bound to the surface of the B cell they are called B Cell Receptors (BCRs). While these cells are developing the BCR genes undergo a number of mutations, these mutations define the antigen binding region, which as described above, binds to the antigen. In fact there are so many possible ways the BCR genes can mutate that we can recognize a nearly infinite number of antigens. Then once your body has encountered an antigen the B cells that have BCRs that can react with the antigen begin to proliferate, and then they start excreting antibodies. After the infection is over, B cells will continue to refine they antigen specificity, that way when they encounter the infection again they can respond with much more specific antibodies and more quickly, this process is called affinity maturation.
What molecule is connected to the surface of pathogens?
An antigen is a molecule that is located on viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and other pathogens. An antigen is very specific to each pathogen. A flu antigen is different from a pneumonia antigen, and an HIV antigen is different from a measles antigen. I like to think of an antigen as a lock, understanding that all locks are different and very specific. The key that fits these antigen locks is called an antibody. Antibodiesare found on certain types of white blood cells that our body produces. Antibody-producing white blood cells are called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes travel around our body and attach antibodies to pathogen antigens. Once an antigen has an antibody attached to it, phagocytes attack the pathogen, engulf it, and kill it. Sometimes the antibody disables the pathogen so that it cannot reproduce or release toxins.SourceBYU Course BIOL 049 Lesson 3
How do you use a master lock key?
Just like any other key ... except that a master key will open more than one lock.
How is a substrate and its enzyme like a lock and key?
An enzyme is shaped so that a specific substrate can attatch to it. A lock and a key function in a similar way. Each lock is shaped so that only a certain key can open it.
Why does your key get stuck in the ignition 1997 s10 blazer?
Sounds like the key and/or lock is worn. Try appling a graphite lock lubricant to key and lock assembly. Could also try using the spare key, it may not be worn as much.
What open a lock?
A key, or a Combonation
Which substances fit together like a lock and key?
enzymes and substrates
How does a lock work?
A key lock works by putting a key in and when you turn the key it pushes a loose round piece which releases the lock.
How does the lock and key help analogy explain enzymes?
just like keys will open a particular lock, enzymes will catalyse only a particular reaction.
Vegetable which name involves key and lock in their name?
lock key
Why does exposure to an influenza virus not provide immunity to other viruses?
Because each virus is shaped differently than the others (over simplified explanation, but basically it is the shape and proteins on the outside of the virus particles). To make you immune to the virus your body has to make antibodies in the exact shape to fit onto that antigen (virus) to make it no longer able to get into your body. Sort of like having the right key for a lock, it has to be shaped to fit that exact lock and then it can work to open the door. But that key won't open different doors with different locks. The antibodies won't work to attach to other shapes unless they are very similar. The antibodies attach to the shape of the antigen so the antigen (virus) can not get into your cells. If the "key" is not shaped just right, then the antibodies can't attach well enough to inactivate the virus, just like keys can't open other locks than the ones for which they are made and shaped. Many viruses, especially influenza viruses, mutate as a way to avoid having everyone become immune. Sometimes the mutations are minor and then you may have some carry-over protection from the prior exposure to the original virus. Or you may have protection from a vaccination to a very similar virus or a new mutation that is not changed too much. If the shape is close enough, your immune system will recognize it as the same and send out those previously created antibodies shaped right to attach to the virus and neutralize it. If it is not very similar, then your body has to start all over again to build the right shaped antibodies for the new virus. This is also why we do not yet know how to make vaccines fast enough to be in time for the mutations of the common cold viruses. Before we can finish making a vaccine for that specifically shaped cold virus, it will mutate so that our antibodies are already obsolete as soon as they are made and the immune system must again start over. In the meantime the viruses can already have made us sick and start a new mutation.
