Section 7
Antibodies
Book
Version 6
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Microbiology
Microbiology
by Boundless
6 concepts
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Antibody Proteins and Antigen Binding
A region at the tip of the antibody protein is very variable, allowing millions of antibodies with different antigen-binding sites to exist.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/13281/raw/antibody.jpg)
Antibody Genes and Diversity
Complex genetic mechanisms evolved which allow vertebrate B cells to generate a diverse pool of antibodies from relatively few antibody genes.
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Clonal Selection of Antibody-Producing Cells
The clonal selection hypothesis is a widely accepted model for the immune system's response to infection.
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Isotype Class Switching
Isotype class switching is a biological mechanism that changes a B cell's production of antibody from one class to another.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/13288/raw/original-antigenic-sin.jpg)
Making Memory B Cells
Memory B cells are a B cell sub-type that are formed following primary infection.
Primary and Secondary Antibody Responses
The immune system protects organisms from infection first with the innate immune system, then with adaptive immunity.