The immunoglobulin molecules of a particular mammalian species have kappa and lambda light chains and heavy chains. The kappa gene consists of 250 V and 8 J segments. The lambda gene contains 200 V and 4 J segments. The gene for the heavy chain consists of 300 V, 8 J, and 4 D segments. If just somatic recombination and random combinations of light and heavy chains are taken into consideration, how many different types of antibodies can be produced by this species?
Genetic Recombination
Recombination is crucial to this process because it allows genes to be reassorted into diverse combinations. Genetic recombination is the process of combining genetic components from two different origins into a single unit. In prokaryotes, genetic recombination takes place by the unilateral transfer of deoxyribonucleic acid. It includes transduction, transformation, and conjugation. The genetic exchange occurring between homologous deoxyribonucleic acid sequences (DNA) from two different sources is termed general recombination. For this to happen, an identical sequence of the two recombining molecules is required. The process of genetic exchange which occurs in eukaryotes during sexual reproduction such as meiosis is an example of this type of genetic recombination.
Microbial Genetics
Genes are the functional units of heredity. They transfer characteristic information from parents to the offspring.
The immunoglobulin molecules of a particular mammalian species have kappa and lambda light chains and heavy chains. The kappa gene consists of 250 V and 8 J segments. The lambda gene contains 200 V and 4 J segments. The gene for the heavy chain consists of 300 V, 8 J, and 4 D segments. If just somatic recombination and random combinations of light and heavy chains are taken into consideration, how many different types of antibodies can be produced by this species?
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