Would a Denatured Antigen Be Expected to Have the Same

question 43

Multiple Choice

Would a denatured antigen be expected to have the same epitopes as its native (non-denatured) counterpart? Why?

• A)Yes-epitopes are just a sequence of amino acids in a row,so they do not change regardless of 3D shape of the protein molecule they lie within.
• B)No-ALL epitopes are dependent on being in the proper original 3D conformation in the protein they arise within.Denaturing them would destroy them by destroying that conformation.
• C)Yes AND No-SOME epitopes are dependent on 3D conformation (conformational epitopes),while some simply depend on the sequence of amino acids (linear epitopes).So,really,it depends on the particular epitope.
• D)Yes-all proteins must be broken down into individual epitopes for presentation to B and T cells on MHC molecules,so each antigen protein MUST be denatured to yield ANY epitopes.

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Definitions:

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A method of argument that involves a process of logical reasoning and dialogue to explore contradictions and opposing viewpoints.

Heuristics

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