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A single continuous DNA sequence; B cell
A single continuous DNA sequence; T cell
Sets of gene segments; B cell
Sets of gene segments; T cell
Leader (L)
Joining (J)
Diversity (D)
Variable (V)
Constant (C)
RAG-1 (Recombination-Activating Gene)
RAG-2 (Recombination-Activating Gene)
V(D)J-recombinase
V(D)J-lyase
A & B
Heavy chain; Fab
Light chain; Fab
Heavy chain; Fc
Light chain; Fc
Alpha (a) and beta (b)
Sigma (s) and gamma (g)
Epsilon (e) and delta (d)
Omega (o) and zeta (z)
Lambda (l) and kappa (k)
Leader (L)
Joining (J)
Diversity (D)
Variable (V)
Constant (C)
V, D, and J gene segments are present in multiple copies (germline diversity)
VJ and VDJ gene segments can recombine in multiple combinations (combinatorial diversity)
Different sequences at the joint lead to greater antibody diversity (junctional diversity)
A single combination of light and heavy chains
Somatic hypermutation after antigenic stimulation
Fab; Dependent
Fab; Independent
Fc; Dependent
Fc; Independent
IgA & IgG
IgD & IgM
IgE & IgA
IgG & IgM
IgM & IgE
(alpha)
(gamma)
(delta)
(epsilon)
(mu)
(alpha)
(gamma)
(delta)
(epsilon)
(mu)
Shorter; NH2
Shorter; COOH
Longer; NH2
Longer; COOH
It will be of the IgG1m(1) type
It will be of the IgG1m(2) type
It will contain both types
It will contain neither type
It will contain only one of the types