Adaptive Immune System Quizlet Related

Review Adaptive Immune System Quizlet related questions and content

What term describes the increased affinity of antibodies during a secondary response?

  • A. Isotype switching
  • B. Affinity maturation
  • C. Somatic recombination
  • D. Clonal expansion
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Affinity maturation. During a secondary immune response, B cells undergo somatic hypermutation, leading to the production of antibodies with higher affinity for the antigen. This process occurs in germinal centers within secondary lymphoid organs. Isotype switching (A) refers to the change in antibody class but not affinity. Somatic recombination (C) is the process of creating diverse antibody repertoires. Clonal expansion (D) involves the proliferation of antigen-specific B cells but does not directly address affinity enhancement.