Which of the following outcomes would be expected if somatic...

Which of the following outcomes would be expected if somatic hypermutation did not occur? a. The diversity of pattern-recognition receptors would be significantly lowered. b. B and T lymphocytes would not be able to produce receptors that recognize antigens. c. The adaptive immune system would not be able to respond to pathogens. d. The secondary immune response to a repeat infection would produce the same antibodies as those made in the primary immune response.

Which of the following outcomes would be expected if somatic hypermutation did not occur?
a. The diversity of pattern-recognition receptors would be significantly lowered.
b. B and T lymphocytes would not be able to produce receptors that recognize antigens.
c. The adaptive immune system would not be able to respond to pathogens.
d. The secondary immune response to a repeat infection would produce the same antibodies as those made in the primary immune response.

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Key Concepts

Somatic Hypermutation

This is a process that introduces point mutations into the variable regions of the immunoglobulin genes in activated B cells, allowing for the generation of antibodies with increased affinity for their antigen during the immune response.

Affinity Maturation

A process that occurs in the germinal centers of lymphoid tissues where B cells producing higher affinity antibodies are preferentially selected for survival and expansion, resulting in a more effective immune response upon subsequent exposures.

Secondary Immune Response

The enhanced and expedited response of the immune system upon re-exposure to an antigen, largely due to memory B cells and the effects of affinity maturation, leading to the production of more effective antibodies than those generated during the primary response.

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