Submitted by: Submitted by bencswig
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Date Submitted: 05/15/2014 02:37 PM
Period 4 4/22/14 Case Study: Immunological Malfunction Immunoglobulins 1. Immunoglobulin Types IgA Found in the nose, digestive tract, ears, eyes, and vagina. It can also be found in saliva, tears and blood. These antibodies protect body surfaces that are exposed to outside foreign substances. IgG Found in all body fluids. They are crucial in fighting bacterial and viral infections. They are the only type of antibody that can cross the placenta in a pregnant women which helps her protect the fetus. IgM Found in blood and lymph fluid. They are the first type of antibody made in response to an infection and also cause other system cells to destroy foreign substances. IgE Found in the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes. They cause bodily reactions against foreign substances such as pollen, fungus, spores, and animal dander. They are also involved in allergic reactions to milk, medicines, and poisons. IgD Found in small amounts in the tissues lining the belly and chest. It’s function is rather uncertain. 2. Daniel’s recurrent lung infections make complete sense after looking at the list of Immunoglobulin types. For example, Daniel had very low levels of IgG, which are crucial in fighting infections. He also had low levels of IgA which protect body surfaces from outside foreign substances. IgE, another immunoglobulin type that Daniel was low in, is found specifically in the lungs. Having sufficient levels in these three immunoglobulin types probably would have changed things for Daniel, and not having them make sense of his recurrent lung infections. Isotype Switching 3. An antigen is a toxin or other foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies. 4. When IgM and IgD expressing Bcells are functionally responsive and mature they undergo the process of immunoglobulin isotype switching after antigenic stimulations. Undergoing this ...