Fundamentals of Microbiology: Body Systems Edition by Jeffrey C. Pommerville

Author:Jeffrey C. Pommerville
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2014-04-16T04:00:00+00:00

Adaptive Immunity Generates Two Complementary Responses to Most Pathogens

The cornerstones of adaptive immunity are the lymphocytes. Although all lymphocytes look similar when viewed with the microscope, two types of lymphocytes can be distinguished on the basis of their complementary adaptive immune responses, cellular function, and unique cell surface proteins.

The Humoral Immune Response. One of the immune behaviors toward antigens is called the humoral immune response (humor = “a fluid”). The result of this reaction is the activation of effector cells called B lymphocytes (B cells) and the ensuing production of effector molecules, antibodies, that recognize epitopes on antigens in the blood and lymphatic fluids (see Figure 16.2B). The humoral response can generate antibodies to just about any antigen or epitope it encounters.

B cells recognize epitopes using surface receptors anchored in their plasma membrane. About 100,000 identical receptors are found on each B cell. These receptors recognize the same epitope as the antibody molecules produced.

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