Final answer:
There are five primary classes of antibodies: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE. IgM is typically secreted first in response to an antigen. Not all classes of antibodies are found in the circulation at all times.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are five primary classes of antibodies found in humans: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE. Each class has a different structure and specific functions in the immune response. IgM consists of five four-chain structures and is the largest antibody molecule. IgG, IgA, and IgD have three constant domains per heavy chain, while IgE has four constant domains per heavy chain. The variable domain determines the binding specificity, and the constant domain of the heavy chain determines the immunological mechanism of action of the antibody class.
In response to an antigen, IgM is usually the first antibody to be secreted/produced during the primary response. However, not all classes of antibodies are found in the circulation at all times. IgM, IgG, and IgA are commonly found in the circulation, while IgD and IgE are present in smaller quantities and have different roles in the immune response.