Chapter 18, Problem 3SA

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reason that a person who produces a large amount of IgE more likely to experience anaphylactic shock than a person who instead produces a large amount of IgG.

Introduction:

Allergic reactions are the amplified immune response of the body towards harmless substances. In allergic individuals plasma cells produce IgE in response to allergens. High levels of IgE are produced only in few individuals that are exposed to environmental factors such as dust, cigarette smoke, molds and mites during infancy or childhood. Hence, they become hypersensitive.