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Question #46788
The Question
A pleiotropic mutation in a patient alters the folding kinetics of the variable regions of immunoglobulins, destroying their structural complementarity to specific epitopes. Upon exposure to a novel bacterial pathogen, which of the following immunological consequences will be observed?
Options
- A.
The primary response will be normal due to innate immunity, but the secondary anamnestic response will fail because the Fc region cannot bind the antigen.
- B.
Clonal selection of B-lymphocytes will fail during the primary encounter, preventing memory cell formation and rendering the secondary response non-existent.
- C.
Plasma cells will produce massive quantities of non-functional antibodies, leading to an exaggerated but ineffective secondary immune response.
- D.
The cell-mediated immune response will compensate by secreting functional H2L2 proteins to trigger an anamnestic response.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Primary vs Secondary Immune Response|Pleiotropy Logic|Peptide Bond Geometry
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that 'primary response is slow, secondary is fast' without connecting it to the prerequisite of clonal selection.
The trap tests the understanding that memory cell formation strictly depends on the initial antigen-receptor binding geometry.
It also tests the structural domains of antibodies, specifically targeting the common misconception that the Fc (constant) region binds antigens, or that T-cells secrete antibodies.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biomolecules - Class 11 |
| Concept | Peptide Bond Geometry |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |