Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
True or False? The process of affinity maturation generates antibodies with an increasing capacity to bind antigens and thus to more efficiently bind to, neutralize, and eliminate microbes.
A
True.
B
False.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of affinity maturation: Affinity maturation is a process that occurs in the immune system, specifically in B cells, where antibodies undergo mutations to increase their binding affinity for a specific antigen.
Recognize the role of somatic hypermutation: During affinity maturation, B cells undergo somatic hypermutation, which introduces point mutations in the variable region of antibody genes, leading to a diverse pool of antibodies with varying affinities.
Identify the selection process: B cells with higher affinity antibodies are preferentially selected for survival and proliferation, while those with lower affinity are eliminated. This selection process occurs in the germinal centers of lymph nodes.
Acknowledge the outcome of affinity maturation: As a result of this process, the immune system produces antibodies that are more effective at binding to antigens, neutralizing pathogens, and facilitating their elimination.
Conclude the statement's validity: Given the explanation of affinity maturation, the statement that it generates antibodies with an increasing capacity to bind antigens and thus more efficiently neutralize and eliminate microbes is true.