Table of contents

1. Introduction to Microbiology3h 22m
2. Disproving Spontaneous Generation1h 18m
3. Chemical Principles of Microbiology3h 38m
4. Water1h 28m
5. Molecules of Microbiology2h 23m
6. Cell Membrane & Transport3h 28m
7. Prokaryotic Cell Structures & Functions5h 52m
8. Eukaryotic Cell Structures & Functions2h 18m
9. Microscopes2h 46m
10. Dynamics of Microbial Growth4h 36m
11. Controlling Microbial Growth4h 10m
12. Microbial Metabolism5h 16m
13. Photosynthesis2h 31m
14. DNA Replication2h 25m
15. Central Dogma & Gene Regulation7h 14m
16. Microbial Genetics4h 44m
17. Biotechnology3h 0m
18. Viruses, Viroids, & Prions4h 56m
19. Innate Immunity7h 15m
20. Adaptive Immunity7h 14m
21. Principles of Disease6h 57m

20. Adaptive Immunity

Affinity Maturation

Microbiology

20. Adaptive Immunity

Affinity Maturation

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Multiple Choice

How does an antibody's ability to bind an antigen increase as B cells multiply?

Genetic rearrangement of the DNA encoding the antibody's constant region occurs with each B cell generation.

Genetic mutations of the DNA encoding the antibody's variable region occur with each B cell generation.

Variation in the amino acid sequence of the antibody stem occurs & allows the antibody to bind various antigens.

Genetic mutations of the DNA encoding the antibody occur changing the antibody into a BCR.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of B cells in the immune response: B cells are a type of white blood cell that produce antibodies to bind specific antigens, which are foreign substances that elicit an immune response.

Recognize the importance of the antibody's variable region: The variable region of an antibody is responsible for binding to a specific antigen. This region is highly specific and can vary greatly between different antibodies.

Learn about somatic hypermutation: As B cells multiply, they undergo a process called somatic hypermutation, where genetic mutations occur in the DNA encoding the antibody's variable region. This increases the diversity of antibodies and enhances their ability to bind to antigens more effectively.

Understand affinity maturation: Through somatic hypermutation, B cells that produce antibodies with higher affinity for the antigen are selected for survival and proliferation. This process is known as affinity maturation and results in a more effective immune response.

Differentiate between the variable and constant regions: The constant region of an antibody does not change during somatic hypermutation. It is the variable region that undergoes genetic mutations, allowing for increased binding affinity to antigens.