Chapter 16, Problem 7CT

Summary Introduction

To answer:

Why does the body produce five different types of immunoglobulins?

Introduction:

Plasma cells are differentiated B cells that secrete antibodies into the lymph or blood. Antibodies are Y-shaped free immunoglobulins, which are classified into five, namely antibodies IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE, and IgD. Antibodies are composed of two identical heavy and light chains. Antigen-binding sites are located at the ends of all four chains of the antibody. Antibodies neutralize antigens of invading organisms by binding with them at specific sites. Thereby, antibodies protect the body by neutralizing the virulence of invading pathogens. Antibodies-bound antigens are phagocytosed by leukocytes, and they play an important role in the humoral immune response. Plasma cells are involved in the immune response during pathogen infection at the first time.