Antibodies

There are more than a million

types of plasma cells which
produce different antibodies
which bind to specific
antigens. ( plasma cells have
lots of endoplasmic reticulm to
make antibodies )
Antibodies are proteins . They
have a 3D shape .
They are Y- shaped and made up of 2 pairs of polypeptide
chains .
-Two- heavy chains and
-Two light Chains.
Each pair of chain is held by Disulphide bridges. They are
divided into a variable region and a constant region.
The Variable region has a hinge which allows the antibody to
move and attach to the antigen. The variable region has a
binding site which is complementary to the antigen. Each
antibody can attach to 2 antigens which means that each
antibody can bind to 2 pathogens at the same time . This forms
an antigen -antibody -complex
How do Antibodies work
together

*agglutination stick

1Agglutination of pathogens pathogens stick or clump

together making it easier for macrophages to engulf
2-Neutralising toxins

3-antibodies bind to
pathogens which Prevents
pathogens from binding to human
cells because the antigens are
blocked so cannot bind to receptor
cells.
4- The antigen pathogen- complex makes it easier for Tcell activation as more antigens are present in one area.

Summary
-Plasma cells produce antibodies
-Antibodies are complementary to antigens on pathogens
-Antibodies cause pathogens to agglutinate
-Macrophages now engulf the antibody antigen pathogen
complex.
-A vesicle is formed around them and lysosomes containing
lysozyme enzymes fuse
with the vesicle and
digests the pathogen.
-The antigen and MHC
present on the surface,
so it becomes an APC.
-This activates T-cells
Action of lysozymes

Lysozymes are
enzymes with specific

active sites which are complementary to the cell wall of the

bacteria .These break down the cell wall