What is a major histocompatibility complex?
Q: What is a major histocompatibility complex?
A: It is a molecule on the outside of immune cells such as white blood cells.
Q: How is the MHC molecule coded?
A: It is coded for by a large gene family in all vertebrates.
Q: What is the function of MHC molecules?
A: The function of MHC molecules is to sense foreign antigens, and bind peptide fragments from pathogens onto their cell surface.
Q: What happens once the peptide fragments are recognized by T-cells?
A: Adaptive immunity depends on this reaction.
Q: What is the importance of the MHC molecule in adaptive immunity?
A: MHC molecules play a crucial role in adaptive immunity by allowing T-cells to recognize foreign antigens.
Q: What do MHC molecules bind onto their cell surface?
A: MHC molecules bind peptide fragments from pathogens onto their cell surface.
Q: In which organisms are MHC molecules found?
A: MHC molecules are found in all vertebrates.