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