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Biology AS AQA

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  1. 1-1-biological-molecules-carbohydrates
    11 主题
  2. 1-2-biological-molecules-lipids
    3 主题
  3. 1-3-biological-molecules-proteins
    5 主题
  4. 1-4-proteins-enzymes
    12 主题
  5. 1-5-nucleic-acids-structure-and-dna-replication
    8 主题
  6. 1-6-atp-water-and-inorganic-ions
    4 主题
  7. 2-1-cell-structure
    7 主题
  8. 2-2-the-microscope-in-cell-studies
    4 主题
  9. 2-3-cell-division-in-eukaryotic-and-prokaryotic-cells
    8 主题
  10. 2-4-cell-membranes-and-transport
    9 主题
  11. 2-5-cell-recognition-and-the-immune-system
    7 主题
  12. 2-6-vaccines-disease-and-monoclonal-antibodies
    6 主题
  13. 3-1-adaptations-for-gas-exchange
    6 主题
  14. 3-2-human-gas-exchange
    14 主题
  15. 3-3-digestion-and-absorption
    5 主题
  16. 3-4-mass-transport-in-animals
    6 主题
  17. 3-5-the-circulatory-system-in-animals
    4 主题
  18. 3-6-mass-transport-in-plants
    6 主题
  19. 4-1-dna-genes-and-chromosomes
    10 主题
  20. 4-2-dna-and-protein-synthesis
    3 主题
  21. 4-3-genetic-diversity-mutations-and-meiosis
    7 主题
  22. 4-4-genetic-diversity-and-adaptation
    6 主题
  23. 4-5-species-and-taxonomy
    4 主题
  24. 4-6-biodiversity
    9 主题
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Exam code:7401

Antigens

  • All cells, including human cells and microorganisms, have unique markers called antigens

    • Antigens are macromolecules found on cell membranes, bacterial walls, or viral surfaces

    • Glycolipids and glycoproteins on membranes often act as antigens

    • They enable cell-to-cell recognition and help the body distinguish between self and non-self cells

  • Antigens can be classified as:

    • Self antigens – produced by the body’s own cells and do not trigger an immune response

    • Non-self antigens – found on foreign cells (e.g. pathogens, incompatible blood cells) and stimulate an immune response

Antigen variability

  • Some pathogens (e.g. cold and flu viruses) show antigen variability due to frequent genetic mutations

    • Their surface antigens change, so existing lymphocytes and memory cells can no longer bind due to there being no complementary receptors

    • This prevents a secondary immune response, so the host becomes infected again

  • Antigenic variability explains why individuals can catch a cold or flu repeatedly despite past exposure

Examiner Tips and Tricks

You should be able to use this concept of antigenic variability to explain why vaccines for the flu must be updated regularly

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