Free response questions:
1) Describing the process of B-cell activation upon encounter with an antigen (infection).
a. In the lymph node, what are the two fates of mature/naïve B-cells after their interaction with T-cells?
i. Where does this interaction take place?
ii. Which cells produce large quantities of the pentameric IgM?
iii. What are two of the characteristics of IgM antibodies?
b. For the cells that will later produce higher quality and more specific antibodies, where do they need to go within the lymph node?
c. In the secondary lymphoid follicle, what are the stages of differentiation that take place?
d. Describe the process of somatic hypermutation and where does it take place?
e. Describe the process of isotype switching and where does it take place?
f. Describe the process of affinity maturation and where does it take place?
2) Compare and contrast between BCRs/Abs and TCRs by discussing at least four different points (you may create a table for organization).
3) Why is RAG required for the expression of the TCR? Discuss the differences in the beta and alpha chain genes.
4) Draw and label the components of a TCR.
5. How does Notch 1 get activated and how does it lead to the activation of T-cell specific genes required for T-cell development?
6. Describe the function of AIRE and where it is expressed in the body.
7. How would a dysfunctional or missing AIRE protein lead to autoimmunity?
8. Compare and contrast between MHC I and MHC II in their functions, what peptides they generally present and the size of these peptides, to which cells their present their peptides, and where they are expressed in the body.
10. During an infection in the large toe, how do resident dendritic cells get activated and know to travel to the draining lymph node?
a. Discuss the role of sensing and the effects intracellular singling.
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