Affinity maturation

Definition

Affinity maturation is the process by which B cells produce antibodies with increased binding affinity for their specific antigen during an immune response. It occurs primarily in the germinal centers of lymph nodes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Affinity maturation involves somatic hypermutation and clonal selection.
2. Somatic hypermutation introduces point mutations into the variable region of antibody genes.
3. Clonal selection favors B cells that produce high-affinity antibodies for survival and proliferation.
4. The process takes place predominantly in germinal centers within secondary lymphoid organs.
5. Affinity maturation enhances the effectiveness of the immune response by producing high-affinity antibodies.

Review Questions

• What are the two main mechanisms involved in affinity maturation?
• Where does affinity maturation primarily occur?
• How does clonal selection contribute to affinity maturation?

Related terms

Somatic Hypermutation: A process that introduces point mutations into the variable regions of immunoglobulin genes.

Clonal Selection: The process by which B cells producing higher-affinity antibodies are selected for survival and proliferation.

Germinal Center: A site within secondary lymphoid organs where mature B cells proliferate, differentiate, and undergo somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation.