For Immunology Chapter 7 Day 2 Draw figure 7-5 and then explain why the V and J segments are capable of being recombined in light chains, but not heavy chains, of BCRs. When two V region segments are joined together, the sequence between the V and J, V and D (as well as D and J … Continue reading Mechanism of V(D)J Recombination

For Immunology Chapter 7 Day 1 Compare germline and somatic hypermutation theories. Hozumi and Tonegawa tested the idea that Ig light chains were a mosaic of variable and constant domains.  What does this mean? What was Hozumi and Tonegawa’s method for testing this? What cells did they use?  Why? How did their assay work? Can … Continue reading Mystery Solved: How Lymphocyte Receptors are Encoded by a Few Genes

For Immunology Chapter 6 Day 2 Why was the original understanding of how the MAC usually works misled by the cell choice in the study (red blood cells)? Describe the steps of the complement cascade that are important for resistance to Neisseria menengitidis?  How does the sequence of events that you just described differ from the … Continue reading Diverse Complement Functions