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What is a definition of hypersensitivity? a. maladaptive immune responses to otherwise harmless proteins b. measure of the attraction between an antigen and an antibody c. total binding strength of a multivalent antibody with an antigen d. binding of an antibody to an antigen different from the one that elicited its synthesis

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. maladaptive immune responses to otherwise harmless proteins

Step by step solution

01

Read the Question Carefully

Understand the question which asks for the definition of hypersensitivity.
02

Review the Four Options

Examine each option carefully. Option a: maladaptive immune responses to otherwise harmless proteins, Option b: measure of the attraction between an antigen and an antibody, Option c: total binding strength of a multivalent antibody with an antigen, Option d: binding of an antibody to an antigen different from the one that elicited its synthesis.
03

Eliminate Incorrect Options

Consider if options b, c, and d correctly define hypersensitivity. Option b describes affinity, option c describes avidity, and option d describes cross-reactivity.
04

Identify the Correct Definition

Identify which option best describes hypersensitivity. Option a is indeed the description of a maladaptive or exaggerated immune response to harmless proteins.
05

Confirm the Answer

Reevaluate and confirm that option a is the correct definition for hypersensitivity.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

maladaptive immune response
Hypersensitivity is a type of maladaptive immune response. This happens when the immune system reacts strongly to harmless proteins, causing damage instead of protecting the body. More precisely, hypersensitivity can lead to allergic reactions or autoimmunity. For example, in allergies, the immune system attacks harmless substances like pollen, causing sneezing and other symptoms. In autoimmune diseases like lupus, the body mistakenly targets its own tissues, leading to inflammation and damage.
affinity
Affinity describes the strength of the interaction between an antibody and a single antigenic determinant (a specific part of an antigen). Think of it as a lock and key mechanism. A higher affinity means the antibody binds tightly to its specific antigen, much like a key fitting perfectly into a lock. This interaction is crucial for the immune system’s ability to identify and neutralize pathogens efficiently.
avidity
Avidity refers to the overall binding strength when multiple antigen-binding sites on an antibody interact with multiple determinants on an antigen. It is essentially the sum of all affinities and is usually stronger than a single affinity interaction. Imagine Velcro strips sticking together; even if one hook is loose, many others are still holding tight. High avidity ensures stable and effective immune responses, especially in complex antigens with multiple binding sites.
cross-reactivity
Cross-reactivity occurs when an antibody binds to an antigen different from the one that initially triggered its production. This happens because the antigens share similar epitopes, which are the parts that the antibody recognizes and binds to. Cross-reactivity can be both beneficial and problematic. It’s beneficial when it leads to broader protection against different pathogens. However, it can cause issues like false positive results in diagnostic tests or autoimmune reactions, where the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What function does the diversity of the variable region of an antibody help it perform? a. It helps in communication of antibodies with other components of immune system. b. It helps the antibodies to function with very low affinity and specificity. c. It enables many different antibodies to be made that all have different specificities of binding. d. It enables many different antibodies to be made that all have same specificities of binding.

How does inflammation develop? a. Inflammation is induced by molecules such as cytokines and histamine that are produced by various host cells in response to pathogens at the site of injury or infection. b. During inflammation, all blood cells retreat from the site of infection in order to protect the circulatory system from pathogen infection. c. Inflammation is an ongoing condition in the human body, part of the way that the innate immune system can respond immediately to an infection. d. When an infection occurs, an immediate inflammatory response occurs as soon as pathogens enter the body.

How do natural killer cells react to healthy cells compared to cells infected with a pathogen? a. Natural killer cells recognize MHC I on a healthy cell and do not kill it, while the infected cells that do not present MHC I are killed. b. Natural killer cells recognize MHC I on an infected cell and kill it, while the healthy cells that do not present MHC I are not killed. c. Natural killer cells recognize MHC II on a healthy cell and do not kill it, while the infected cells that do not present MHC II are killed. d. Natural killer cells recognize MHC II on an infected cell and kill it, while the healthy cells that do not present MHC II are not killed.

Why do some people with type 1 diabetes develop the disease as the result of an immune response? a. Their B cells produced IgE molecules in response to a harmless protein, which caused histamine to be released. b. Their B cells responded to a self protein to produce autoantibodies, which elicited inflammation that caused organ damage. c. They had a delayed response to a harmful protein that entered the body and activated both the innate and adaptive immune systems. d. They acquired antibodies to insulin through passive immunity, and these antibodies bind to insulin whenever it is produced in the body.

Researchers have been working on developing methods for stimulating the human immune system to recognize foreign proteins as self proteins. Why would this research be applicable to treating allergies? a. In an allergy, a person’s immune system has been compromised, which causes unpleasant symptoms. b. In an allergy, a person’s immune system reacts to its own proteins, which causes unpleasant symptoms. c. In an allergy, a person’s immune system reacts to a harmless protein from the environment, which causes unpleasant symptoms. d. In an allergy, a person’s immune system reacts to a harmless protein from the environment, which causes pleasant symptoms.

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