Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Study Guide Answers Related

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Which of the following mechanisms is responsible for the generation of diversity in the antigen-binding sites of immunoglobulins?

  • A. Somatic hypermutation
  • B. Gene rearrangement
  • C. Isotype switching
  • D. Clonal expansion
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Somatic hypermutation is the mechanism responsible for generating diversity in the antigen-binding sites of immunoglobulins. During somatic hypermutation, point mutations are introduced into the variable regions of immunoglobulin genes in B cells. These mutations occur randomly and lead to a wide range of amino acid changes in the antigen-binding sites of antibodies. As a result, a diverse repertoire of antibodies with varying specificities for different antigens is created. Gene rearrangement and isotype switching are other mechanisms that contribute to antibody diversity but do not specifically target the antigen-binding sites. Clonal expansion, on the other hand, refers to the proliferation of specific B cell clones after activation by antigens, which amplifies the immune response but does not directly impact the diversity of antigen-binding sites.