T cells and B cells have many similarities in how they produce their highly diverse repertoire of antigen receptors, but one important difference between them is that B cell receptors can undergo somatic hypermutation to alter their affinity for antigen. This is known as ‘affinity maturation’, and the result is that the pool of B cells specific for a particular microbe will increase their binding affinity. T cells do not engage in either somatic hypermutation or affinity maturation. Why not? What potential harm could come from allowing T cells to alter the affinity of their TCRs after they have already left the thymus and have become acti
T cells and B cells have many similarities in how they produce their highly diverse repertoire of antigen receptors, but one important difference between them is that B cell receptors can undergo somatic hypermutation to alter their affinity for antigen. This is known as ‘affinity maturation’, and the result is that the pool of B cells specific for a particular microbe will increase their binding affinity. T cells do not engage in either somatic hypermutation or affinity maturation. Why not? What potential harm could come from allowing T cells to alter the affinity of their TCRs after they have already left the thymus and have become acti
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap Course List)
9th Edition
ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:Lauralee Sherwood
Chapter12: Body Defenses
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1SQE
Related questions
Question
T cells and B cells have many similarities in how they produce their highly diverse repertoire of antigen receptors, but one important difference between them is that B cell receptors can undergo somatic hypermutation to alter their affinity for antigen. This is known as ‘affinity maturation’, and the result is that the pool of B cells specific for a particular microbe will increase their binding affinity. T cells do not engage in either somatic hypermutation or affinity maturation. Why not? What potential harm could come from allowing T cells to alter the affinity of their TCRs after they have already left the thymus and have become activated in a lymph node or spleen?
Expert Solution
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap …
Biology
ISBN:
9781285866932
Author:
Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co…
Biology
ISBN:
9781305251052
Author:
Michael Cummings
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap …
Biology
ISBN:
9781285866932
Author:
Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co…
Biology
ISBN:
9781305251052
Author:
Michael Cummings
Publisher:
Cengage Learning