What is the primary way that antibodies protect the body against invading agents?
Explanation
This question clarifies that while antibodies have several mechanisms of action, their most powerful protective effect is achieved by activating the complement system.
Other questions
What is the usual minimum molecular weight a substance must have to be considered antigenic?
Where are T lymphocytes preprocessed to become responsible for cell-mediated immunity?
What is the primary function of B lymphocytes in the immune system?
During the preprocessing of T lymphocytes in the thymus, what happens to cells that react against the body’s own self-antigens?
What percentage of T lymphocytes can be destroyed in the thymus during the process of selecting against self-reactive cells?
What is the primary role of macrophages in the activation process of lymphocytic clones?
Which substance, secreted by macrophages, promotes further growth and reproduction of specific lymphocytes?
What is the approximate rate of division for a plasmablast, the precursor of a plasma cell?
What is the approximate rate at which a mature plasma cell can produce antibody molecules?
Compared to the primary immune response, how is the secondary immune response characterized?
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Igs), constitute approximately what percentage of all plasma proteins?
Which part of an antibody molecule is responsible for attaching specifically to a particular type of antigen?
Which class of antibody is the most abundant in a normal person, constituting about 75 percent of all antibodies?
Which direct action of antibodies involves binding multiple large particles with antigens on their surfaces into a clump?
What is the collective term for the system of about 20 proteins that enhances the actions of antibodies and phagocytic cells?
Which product of the complement cascade strongly activates phagocytosis by neutrophils and macrophages in a process called opsonization?
The membrane attack complex, a product of the complement system, is a combination of which complement factors?
Which major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins present antigens to cytotoxic T cells?
T-helper cells constitute what percentage of all T cells?
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by inactivating or destroying which specific cells?
Which three interleukins are particularly potent in stimulating B-cell growth and differentiation, to the point they have been called B-cell stimulating factors?
How do cytotoxic T cells (killer cells) primarily destroy an attacked cell?
What is the primary proposed function of regulatory T cells (suppressor T cells)?
In which autoimmune disease does immunity develop against the acetylcholine receptor proteins of the neuromuscular junction, causing paralysis?
Which type of immunization involves injecting organisms that have been grown in special culture media or passed through animals until they no longer cause disease but still carry specific antigens?
When a person receives an infusion of antibodies from someone else, conferring temporary immunity, this is called what type of immunity?
For approximately how long do antibodies infused for passive immunity last in the recipient's body?
Delayed-reaction allergy, such as that caused by poison ivy, is mediated by which component of the immune system?
Atopic allergies are characterized by the presence of large quantities of which type of antibody in the blood?
A special characteristic of IgE antibodies (reagins) is their strong propensity to attach to which two types of cells?
In an allergic reaction, what is the term for an antigen that reacts specifically with a type of IgE reagin antibody?
What is the term for the widespread allergic reaction that occurs when a specific allergen is injected directly into the circulation?
In an allergic asthma attack, which substance released from mast cells is believed to be the major factor causing spasm of the bronchiolar smooth muscle?
The lymphoid tissue of the throat and pharynx, which includes the tonsils and adenoids, is well-located to intercept antigens that enter the body by which route?
Which statement correctly describes a key difference between B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes?
What are all the different lymphocytes that are capable of forming one specific antibody or T cell collectively called?
Approximately how many antibody molecules does a single B lymphocyte have on its cell surface membrane to react with antigens?
According to evidence from vaccinated individuals and pandemic survivors, for how long can long-lived plasma cells continue producing antibodies?
The IgM class of antibodies, often formed during the primary response, is particularly effective in protection because it has how many antigen binding sites?
Which fragments of the complement cascade are responsible for activating mast cells and basophils, causing them to release histamine and other substances?
What are the three major types of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the lymphoid tissues?
Which lymphokine, secreted by T-helper cells, has an especially strong stimulatory effect on the growth and proliferation of cytotoxic and regulatory T cells?
According to Table 35-1, which T-helper cell subset is primarily responsible for stimulating IgE production and activating mast cells and eosinophils?
The failure of the immune tolerance mechanism, where the body loses tolerance of its own tissues, can lead to what type of diseases?
What is the term for the regularly recurring molecular groups on the surface of an antigen that are responsible for antigenicity?
What is the primary difference in the origin of T and B lymphocytes before they are preprocessed?
What is the term for the localized anaphylactoid reaction in the skin, commonly called hives?
Which type of acquired immunity usually requires assistance from T cells to begin the process and involves these cells in helping eliminate invading pathogens?
What is the name for the protein mediators, such as interleukins, that are formed by T-helper cells and act on other cells of the immune system?