Affinities
Definition
The strength with which an antibody binds to its specific antigen is known as affinity. Higher affinities indicate a stronger and more effective immune response.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Affinity is determined by the specific interactions between the antigen's epitope and the antibody's paratope.
- High-affinity antibodies are generally produced during secondary immune responses.
- Affinity maturation occurs in germinal centers through somatic hypermutation and selection processes.
- Low-affinity antibodies may be produced initially but can evolve into high-affinity antibodies over time.
- Affinity is crucial for determining the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies.
Review Questions
- What role does affinity play in the strength of an immune response?
- How does affinity maturation contribute to the development of high-affinity antibodies?
- Why might low-affinity antibodies still be important in an initial immune response?
"Affinities" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Related terms
Epitope: The specific part of an antigen that is recognized and bound by an antibody.
Paratope: The part of an antibody that binds to an antigen's epitope.
Germinal Center: A site within secondary lymphoid organs where mature B cells proliferate, differentiate, and mutate their antibody genes during an immune response.
