Question

Which of the following statements about antibody specificity is correct?

a) Determination of antibody specificity occurs prior to and independent from an individual's first encounter with antigen.
b) Antibody specificity is solely dependent on soluble factors (cytokines) produced by T cells.
c) Memory B cells are responsible for determining antibody specificity.
d) Somatic hypermutation is the primary process for initial antibody specificity.
e) Antibody specificity is determined by maternal immune function during pregnancy.

Answer 1

The determination of antibody specificity occurs prior to and independent from an individual's first encounter with an antigen, through gene rearrangement mechanisms within B cells such as V(D)J recombination. This happens during B cell development in the bone marrow and is not influenced by subsequent exposure to antigens or cytokines nor by maternal immune function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about antibody specificity is a) Determination of antibody specificity occurs prior to and independent from an individual's first encounter with antigen. Antibody specificity arises from the unique antigen-binding sites within the variable regions of antibodies, which are predetermined and do not depend on the presence of antigen. These variable regions are composed of unique patterns of amino acids that permit the binding to target antigens with complementary shapes and charges. The variation which allows a vast array of antibodies to be produced is a result of gene rearrangement mechanisms within B cells—specifically through processes such as V(D)J recombination during B cell development in the bone marrow. This rearrangement is done prior to antigen exposure, giving rise to B cells with receptors of unique specificities ready to respond to a wide array of potential pathogens.

The other options are incorrect or represent processes involved post-antigen encounter: b) Cytokines from T cells do not solely determine antibody specificity; they influence B cell function and aid in class switching. c) While Memory B cells play a crucial role in the secondary immune response by producing more potent antibodies more quickly upon subsequent exposures to the same antigen, they do not determine initial antibody specificity. d) Somatic hypermutation enhances the affinity of antibodies for their antigens and occurs after B cells have encountered an antigen. e) Maternal immune function can provide temporary immunity to the offspring but is not involved in the determination of an individual's antibody specificities.