Question

How many tries, per chromosome, does a T cell have to produce a functioning chain?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 4
d. 6

Answer 1

During T cell development, there are four tries per chromosome to produce a functioning chain of the T cell receptor.

Step-by-step explanation:

Each T cell has multiple copies of each gene that encodes the T cell receptor. During the development of T cells, the genes for the T cell receptor undergo a process called V(D)J recombination, where different gene segments are combined to produce a functional receptor chain.

In total, each T cell has four attempts or tries per chromosome to produce a functioning chain. This is because during V(D)J recombination, there are four different gene segments that can be rearranged to form a functional chain.

Therefore, the correct answer is c. 4.

Answer 2

The T cell has 2 tries per chromosome to produce a functioning chain.

So, the correct answer is B) 2.

Step-by-step explanation:

T cells undergo a process called V(D)J recombination to generate a diverse repertoire of T cell receptors (TCRs). This process involves the rearrangement of gene segments to produce a functional TCR chain. Each chromosome in a T cell has two copies of the TCR gene, and during the recombination process, each copy undergoes two attempts at producing a functional chain.

During the first attempt, the gene segments on one copy of the chromosome are rearranged to form a functional TCR chain. If this attempt is unsuccessful, the second copy of the chromosome undergoes a similar rearrangement process, providing the T cell with a second chance to produce a functioning TCR chain.

This mechanism allows for increased diversity in the TCR repertoire, enabling T cells to recognize a wide range of antigens and pathogens.

So, the correct answer is B) 2.