Final answer:
Class 1 MHC molecules are present on all nucleated cells, present antigens to CD8+ T cells, are involved in self and non-self antigen recognition, and are encoded by the HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C genes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Properties of Class 1 MHC Molecules
Class 1 MHC (major histocompatibility complex) molecules have several distinct properties that are vital to their role in the immune system:
They are expressed on the surface of all nucleated cells, which allows them to present normal self-antigens as well as abnormal or nonself antigens.
MHC I molecules present antigens to CD8+ T cells, which are involved in the cellular immune response.
These molecules are critical for the immune system's recognition of self and non-self antigens, distinguishing healthy cells from those infected by pathogens or affected by cancer.
Class 1 MHC molecules are encoded by the HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C genes in humans.
When a cell becomes infected with an intracellular pathogen such as a virus, the MHC I molecules present pathogen-specific antigens on the surface of the infected cell, which signals to the immune system that the cell is compromised and should be targeted for destruction.