1.
The greater hypervariability of the CDR3 region compared to the CDR1 region of immunoglobulin heavy chains can be partly attributed to the enzyme terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase because of its role in:
Correct Answer
E. Non template nucleotide additions
Explanation
The greater hypervariability of the CDR3 region compared to the CDR1 region of immunoglobulin heavy chains can be partly attributed to the enzyme terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase because it is responsible for adding non-template nucleotides during V(D)J recombination. This process allows for the generation of a diverse repertoire of antibodies by introducing random nucleotide sequences into the CDR3 region, increasing its variability. This variability is essential for the immune system to recognize and bind to a wide range of antigens.
2.
When a B-cell undergoes immunoglobulin class switching:
Correct Answer
C. The variable region of the heavy chain remains the same but its constant region changes
Explanation
When a B-cell undergoes immunoglobulin class switching, the variable region of the heavy chain remains the same but its constant region changes. This process allows the B-cell to produce antibodies with different effector functions while maintaining the same antigen specificity. The variable region is responsible for binding to the antigen, while the constant region determines the antibody's effector functions, such as activating complement or binding to Fc receptors. Therefore, by changing the constant region, the B-cell can switch from producing one class of antibody (e.g., IgM) to another (e.g., IgG or IgA) without altering its antigen specificity.
3.
As predicted by the clonal selection hypothesis, B cells express cell-surface IgM of the same specificity as the IgM produced for secretion. This is possible because of:
Correct Answer
D. Alternative polyA site usage
Explanation
Alternative polyA site usage refers to the phenomenon where different polyadenylation sites within a gene are used, resulting in the production of alternative mRNA transcripts with different 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). In the context of B cells, alternative polyA site usage allows for the expression of cell-surface IgM of the same specificity as the IgM produced for secretion. This is because the alternative polyA sites regulate the length of the 3' UTR, which in turn affects the stability and translation efficiency of the mRNA. Thus, alternative polyA site usage ensures that B cells can produce both cell-surface and secreted IgM molecules with the same specificity.
4.
Which of the following does not contribute to the generation of diversity of B-cell antigen receptors?
Correct Answer
D. Inheritance of multiple C-region genes
Explanation
Inheritance of multiple C-region genes does not contribute to the generation of diversity of B-cell antigen receptors. The diversity of B-cell antigen receptors is primarily generated through the rearrangement and recombination of V, D, and J segments, as well as the random assortment of L and H chains. These processes allow for the creation of a wide variety of antigen receptor sequences. The inheritance of multiple C-region genes, on the other hand, affects the constant region of the antibody molecule and does not contribute to the generation of diversity in the variable region, where antigen binding occurs.
5.
After binding to its specific antigen, a B lymphocyte may switch its:
Correct Answer
B. Immunoglobulin heavy-chain class
Explanation
B lymphocytes have the ability to switch their immunoglobulin heavy-chain class after binding to their specific antigen. This process is known as class switching and it allows B cells to produce different classes of antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE) with the same antigen specificity. This class switching occurs through a process called somatic recombination, where DNA rearrangements take place in the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene locus. This allows B cells to adapt their immune response to different types of pathogens and enhances the effectiveness of the immune system.
6.
“Isotype switching” of immunoglobulin classes by B cells involves:
Correct Answer
B. Successive insertion of a single VH gene adjacent to different CH genes
Explanation
Isotype switching of immunoglobulin classes by B cells involves the successive insertion of a single VH gene adjacent to different CH genes. This process allows B cells to change the class of immunoglobulin they produce without altering the specificity of the antibody. By switching the constant region of the antibody, B cells can produce different types of immunoglobulins with distinct effector functions, such as IgM, IgG, IgA, and IgE. This process is important for the immune system to mount appropriate responses against different types of pathogens and antigens.
7.
During the maturation of a B lymphocyte, the first immunoglobulin heavy chain synthesized is the:
Correct Answer
A. Mu chain
Explanation
During the maturation of a B lymphocyte, the first immunoglobulin heavy chain synthesized is the Mu chain. This is because the Mu chain, also known as the IgM heavy chain, is the first heavy chain produced during B cell development. It is expressed on the surface of immature B cells and is associated with the IgM antibody. As B cells continue to mature, they can switch to producing other heavy chains, such as gamma, epsilon, or alpha chains, which are associated with different types of immunoglobulins. However, the Mu chain is the initial heavy chain synthesized during B cell maturation.
8.
The antibody-binding site is formed primarily by:
Correct Answer
B. The hypervariable regions of H and L chains
Explanation
The hypervariable regions of H and L chains form the antibody-binding site. These regions contain amino acid sequences that are highly variable and are responsible for recognizing and binding to specific antigens. The constant regions of H and L chains, on the other hand, are involved in other functions such as antibody structure and signaling. Therefore, the correct answer is the hypervariable regions of H and L chains.
9.
An individual who is heterozygous for Gm allotypes contains two allelic forms of IgG in serum, but individual lymphocytes produce only one of the two forms. This phenomenon, known as “allelic exclusion,” is consistent with
Correct Answer
A. A rearrangement of a heavy-chain gene on only one chromosome in a lympHocyte
Explanation
The correct answer is "A rearrangement of a heavy-chain gene on only one chromosome in a lymphocyte." This is because allelic exclusion refers to the phenomenon where only one allele is expressed in a cell, while the other allele is silenced. In the case of Gm allotypes, which are variations in the constant region of IgG antibodies, the individual has two allelic forms of IgG in their serum. However, in individual lymphocytes, only one form is produced. This suggests that there is a rearrangement of the heavy-chain gene on only one chromosome in the lymphocyte, leading to the expression of only one form of IgG.
10.
The hypervariable region of an antibody light chain results from:
(concept – how antibody hypervariable regions are generated)
Correct Answer
E. Addition of nucleotides between LV and J segments in maturing lympHocytes
Explanation
During the maturation of lymphocytes, the hypervariable region of an antibody light chain is generated through the addition of nucleotides between LV and J segments. This process, known as V(D)J recombination, involves the rearrangement of gene segments to generate a diverse repertoire of antibodies. The addition of nucleotides between LV and J segments introduces random variations in the DNA sequence, leading to the production of antibodies with different antigen-binding specificities. This mechanism allows the immune system to recognize and respond to a wide range of pathogens.
11.
Cells express cell-surface IgM of the same specificity as the IgM produced for secretion. This is possible because of:
(concept – how soluble IgM is generated)
Correct Answer
D. Alternative splicing of a primary RNA transcript.
Explanation
The correct answer is alternative splicing of a primary RNA transcript. Alternative splicing is a process in which different exons of a primary RNA transcript are combined in different ways to generate multiple mRNA isoforms. In the case of cells expressing cell-surface IgM, alternative splicing allows for the generation of membrane-bound IgM molecules that have the same specificity as the IgM produced for secretion. This process ensures that the cells can display the same IgM on their surface as they secrete, allowing for efficient immune responses.
12.
An IgG2 molecule is composed of which of the following?
Correct Answer
E. Two gamma2 chains and two kappa chains
Explanation
An IgG2 molecule is composed of two gamma2 chains and two kappa chains. This is because immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules are made up of two heavy chains and two light chains. In the case of IgG2, the heavy chains are gamma2 chains and the light chains are kappa chains. Therefore, the correct answer is two gamma2 chains and two kappa chains.
13.
The earliest stages of B-cell differentiation:
Correct Answer
E. Involve a rearrangement of heavy-chain gene segments
Explanation
The correct answer is that the earliest stages of B-cell differentiation involve a rearrangement of heavy-chain gene segments. This is because during B-cell development, the genes that encode the heavy chains of antibodies undergo a process called V(D)J recombination. This process involves the rearrangement and joining of different gene segments, including V (variable), D (diversity), and J (joining) segments, to generate a diverse repertoire of heavy-chain genes. This rearrangement is crucial for the production of functional antibodies with a wide range of antigen specificities.