The immune system A. has a gene for each antigen; B....

The immune system ______
A. has a gene for each antigen; B. undergoes genetic rearrangement in response to different antigens; $\mathbf{C}$. is able to make many antigen receptors by rearranging the DNA of immune cells; D. can always devise an antibody that will bind to an antigen.

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Key Concepts

Adaptive Immunity

Adaptive immunity is the part of the immune system that develops a specific response to pathogens. It is characterized by its ability to recognize a vast array of antigens using receptors that are tailored to each invader, unlike the innate immune system which uses a more generic defense strategy.

V(D)J Recombination

V(D)J recombination is the process by which immune cells, particularly B and T lymphocytes, rearrange their DNA segments to create a diverse repertoire of antigen receptors. This genetic rearrangement allows a limited number of gene segments to generate a multitude of unique receptors capable of recognizing numerous antigens.

Antibody Diversity

Antibody diversity refers to the extraordinary variety of antibodies that can be produced by an organism despite having a finite number of genes. This diversity is primarily achieved through processes like V(D)J recombination, which rearrange gene segments, allowing the immune system to generate antibodies with different specificities to effectively target and neutralize a wide range of antigens.

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