Question

Which statement about an antigenic determinant is not true? a. It is a specific chemical grouping. b. It may be part of many different molecules. c. It is the part of an antigen to which an antibody binds. d. It may be part of a cell.

Name: Problem 3, Chapter 42: Life: The Science of Biology
Uploaded: 2021-04-16T17:42:30-08:00
Duration: 1 min 46 s
Channel: Christina Sorrentino
Description: Which statement about an antigenic determinant is not true? a. It is a specific chemical grouping. b. It may be part of many different molecules. c. It is the part of an antigen to which an antibody binds. d. It may be part of a cell.

   Which statement about an antigenic determinant is not true?
a. It is a specific chemical grouping.
b. It may be part of many different molecules.
c. It is the part of an antigen to which an antibody binds.
d. It may be part of a cell.

Life: The Science of Biology

David E. Sadava,… 9th Edition

Chapter 42, Problem 3

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Christina Sorrentino

04/16/2021

Step 1

An antigenic determinant, also known as an epitope, is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells. Show more…

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Which statement about an antigenic determinant is not true? a. It is a specific chemical grouping. b. It may be part of many different molecules. c. It is the part of an antigen to which an antibody binds. d. It may be part of a cell.

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Key Concepts

Antigenic Determinant (Epitope)

An antigenic determinant, or epitope, is the specific region on an antigen that is recognized and bound by an antibody. It is defined more by its three-dimensional conformation and the chemical environment rather than by being a unique chemical group. This specificity allows similar epitopes to be present on different molecules or even on cell surfaces, which is a key feature of antigen recognition.

Antibody-Antigen Interaction

This concept involves the highly specific binding between an antibody and an antigenic determinant. The interaction depends on the precise fit between the antibody and the epitope’s spatial structure rather than merely a particular chemical grouping. This specificity underlies the immune system’s ability to distinguish between different antigens, regardless of whether the determinant is part of a larger molecule or part of a cell.

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