Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

41. Immune System

Adaptive Immunity

General Biology

41. Immune System

Adaptive Immunity

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0:49 minutes

Problem 9

Textbook Question

In the condition myasthenia gravis, antibodies bind to and block certain receptors on muscle cells, preventing muscle contraction. This condition is best classified as an
a. Immunodeficiency disorder.
b. Exaggerated immune reaction.
c. Allergic reaction.
d. Autoimmune disorder.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the condition described: Myasthenia gravis is a condition where antibodies target and block receptors on muscle cells, interfering with normal muscle contraction.

Recall the definition of an autoimmune disorder: It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells, tissues, or organs.

Compare the condition to other immune-related disorders: Immunodeficiency disorders involve a weakened immune system, exaggerated immune reactions involve an overactive response to external threats, and allergic reactions are hypersensitive responses to harmless substances.

Identify the key feature of myasthenia gravis: The immune system produces antibodies that attack the body's own muscle cell receptors, which aligns with the definition of an autoimmune disorder.

Conclude that the condition is best classified as an autoimmune disorder based on the mechanism of action described.

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Key Concepts

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

Autoimmune Disorder

An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells, tissues, or organs. In the case of myasthenia gravis, the immune system produces antibodies that target acetylcholine receptors on muscle cells, disrupting normal communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness.

Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. In autoimmune disorders, these antibodies can mistakenly target the body's own cells, as seen in myasthenia gravis, where they block receptors essential for muscle contraction.

Neuromuscular Junction

The neuromuscular junction is the synapse or connection point between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber. It is crucial for muscle contraction, as the release of neurotransmitters at this junction stimulates muscle fibers. In myasthenia gravis, the blockage of receptors at this junction impairs muscle contraction, leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disorder.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

What steps are required for most B cells to become fully activated and differentiate into plasma cells?

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Textbook Question

Why is clonal selection necessary for the adaptive immune response but not the innate immune response? Select True or False for each statement.

T/F The adaptive immune response uses receptors to recognize pathogens, and the innate immune response does not.

T/F There is more receptor diversity in the adaptive immune response than in the innate immune response.

T/F Cells in the innate immune response do not require activation, and those in the adaptive immune response do.

T/F Clonal selection is used for targeting pathogens, and the innate immune response is used only to stop blood flow from the wound.

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Textbook Question

Helper T cells recognize the self-nonself complex on ___________ cells, while cytotoxic T cells recognize the complex on ___________ cells.

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What would a vaccine have to contain to protect a patient from chicken pox? Explain why we don't have vaccines for HIV.

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Which of the following outcomes would be expected if somatic hypermutation did not occur?

a. The diversity of pattern-recognition receptors would be significantly lowered.

b. B and T lymphocytes would not be able to produce receptors that recognize antigens.

c. The adaptive immune response would not be activated by pathogens.

d. The secondary immune response to a repeat infection would produce the same antibodies as those made in the primary immune response.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following statements is not true?

a. An antibody has more than one antigen-binding site.

b. An antigen can have different epitopes.

c. A lymphocyte has receptors for multiple and different antigens.

d. A bacterium has more than one antigen.

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Propose a hypothesis to explain how self-reactive B cells are identified and eliminated during maturation.

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In the condition myasthenia gravis, antibodies bind to and block certain receptors on muscle cells, preventing muscle contraction. This condition is best classified as an a. Immunodeficiency disorder. b. Exaggerated immune reaction. c. Allergic reaction. d. Autoimmune disorder.

Key Concepts

Autoimmune Disorder

Antibodies

Neuromuscular Junction

Watch next

In the condition myasthenia gravis, antibodies bind to and block certain receptors on muscle cells, preventing muscle contraction. This condition is best classified as an
a. Immunodeficiency disorder.
b. Exaggerated immune reaction.
c. Allergic reaction.
d. Autoimmune disorder.