Reference no: EM132476949

Assignment - Answer 4 questions about immunology. The answers length range from few sentences to a short paragraph.

Question 1 - List the B-cell developmental stages from pre-pro to immature B cells describing B-cell receptor (BCR or Ig) rearrangements occurring and/or key events occurring at each stage.

Question 2 - What is the purpose of positive selection during T-cell development? How are positive selection and MHC restriction related?

Question 3 - During B-cell activation some activated B-cells undergo differentiation into antibody secreting plasma cells outside of the germinal center and therefore never go through the germinal center responses. Other activated B-cells will return to the follicle forming a germinal center and undergo processes that alter the antibody that will be produced.

Describe the germinal center responses. Why are these responses important (hint: what is different about the antibody produced)? Why are T cells important in germinal center responses?

Question 4 - You inject a mouse with a protein antigen X. This is the first time the mouse has been exposed to X. In the course of clearing X from their body the mouse will launch an immune response to antigen X. Over the course of the immune response antigen X will encounter naive, effector and memory lymphocytes (B- and T-cells). There are distinct differences between the function and role of each type (naive, effector and memory).

Differentiate between naive, effector and memory lymphocytes. Focus on their response to antigen (time to respond, magnitude of response quality/type of response) and their overall function in the immune response.

Note: This isn't a molecular question. It's a 'what is the point', 'why do I need so many different things' type of question.

Think big picture (not lots of molecules) and focus on the underlined words above.

It is possible to answer the question in a way that is accurate for both T- and B-cells at the same time (i.e., one answer covers both) but you could also describe both independently. Do whichever you feel more comfortable with.

The mouse, and antigen X, was just an example. You don't have to mention them in your answer.