natural killer cells
cells responsible for humoral immunity (antibody production) and are referred to as plasma cells when activated
and producting antibodies.
B-lymphs
key component of adaptive immunity, these are a group of functionally defined cells capable of taking up antigens
and presenting them to lymphs; bound by MHC (major histocompatibility complex)
APC (antigen-producing cells)
primary function of immunoglobins
neutralization
term used to describe process when phagocytes are coated by antibodies which allow phagocytic cells to
recognize, ingest and destroy bacteria
opsonization
refers to the formation of pores on the surface of bacteria or the coating of antigens making them recognizable to
phagocytic cells
complement
highly specific antibodies that react ONLY with the antigen that caused their production
monoclonal antibodies
versitile antibodies that react with antigen that caused their production as well as other antigens that have similar
physical structure to the original antigen
heterophile antibodies
serum electrophoresis, Immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), and immunoelectrophoresis (IEP)
testing methods for antibodies
includes 2 large (heavy) chains, 2 smaller (light) chains held together by noncovalent forces and disulfide interchain
bridges forming a Y shape
primary structure
immmunoglobins can be cleaved into 2 or more fragments by enzymes _______ and _______.
papain, pepsin
upper portion of the Y shape capable of antigen binding; contain two sites per antibody consisting of the light chain
and the upper part of the heavy chain
FAB site (Fragment Antigen Binding)