Final answer:
Somatic recombination occurs in developing lymphocytes and involves rearranging immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. Somatic hypermutation introduces point mutations in activated B cells' immunoglobulin genes, leading to more effective antibodies. Both processes are essential for immune diversity and adaptive response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Somatic Recombination and Somatic Hypermutation
Somatic recombination and somatic hypermutation are two processes that generate diversity in the immune system's response to pathogens. Somatic recombination, also known as V(D)J recombination, occurs in the developing lymphocytes in the bone marrow and thymus. This process rearranges the variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) genetic segments of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes to create a multitude of unique receptors that can bind to different antigens. Somatic hypermutation, on the other hand, introduces point mutations into the variable regions of immunoglobulin genes in activated B cells within germinal centers, leading to an affinity maturation of antibodies.
Both processes play crucial roles in the adaptive immune response. Somatic recombination occurs during the early development of B and T cells, while somatic hypermutation takes place after B cells are activated by antigen exposure. These mechanisms ensure that the immune system can recognize and respond to a vast array of pathogens, contributing to the establishment of effective immune memory and specificity.