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Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses
Chapter 20, Problem 5

Small molecules that must combine with large proteins to become immunogenic are called a. complete antigens, b. kinins, c. antigenic determinants, d. haptens.

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1
Understand the concept of immunogenicity: Immunogenicity refers to the ability of a substance to provoke an immune response in the body.
Identify the role of small molecules: Small molecules on their own are often not immunogenic because they are too small to be recognized by the immune system.
Recognize the need for combination with larger proteins: These small molecules need to bind to larger proteins to become immunogenic and elicit an immune response.
Define the term for these small molecules: The term for small molecules that must combine with large proteins to become immunogenic is 'haptens'.
Review the options provided: Compare the definition of haptens with the other options to confirm that haptens is the correct choice.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Immunogenicity

Immunogenicity refers to the ability of a substance, such as an antigen, to provoke an immune response in the body. This response typically involves the activation of lymphocytes and the production of antibodies. Understanding immunogenicity is crucial for distinguishing between substances that can elicit an immune response and those that cannot.
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Haptens

Haptens are small molecules that, by themselves, are not immunogenic but can become immunogenic when they bind to larger carrier proteins. This binding allows the immune system to recognize the hapten as a foreign substance, leading to an immune response. Haptens are important in understanding how certain drugs and chemicals can trigger allergic reactions.

Complete Antigens

Complete antigens are substances that can independently provoke an immune response without the need for a carrier protein. They possess both immunogenic and reactive properties, meaning they can stimulate the production of antibodies and bind to them. This concept is essential for differentiating between complete antigens and haptens in immunology.
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