MCAT Question A Day - 8/24/14 - Answer!
Antibodies function by:
A. phagocytizing invading antigens.
B. adhering to circulating plasma cells and marking them for destruction by phagocytizing cells.
C. preventing the production of stem cells in the bone marrow.
D. attaching to antigens via their variable portions.
D is correct. Antibodies bind to antigens through interactions between the antibody's variable region and the antigen. Antibodies do not phagocytize anything, so A is out. Antibodies are produced by plasma cells, they don't normally bind to them; B is out. Plasma cells are derived from stem cells in the bone marrow. Antibodies will not usually prevent their production. C is out.
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D is correct. Antibodies bind to antigens through interactions between the antibody's variable region and the antigen. Antibodies do not phagocytize anything, so A is out. Antibodies are produced by plasma cells, they don't normally bind to them; B is out. Plasma cells are derived from stem cells in the bone marrow. Antibodies will not usually prevent their production. C is out.
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