Immunity

Question 1

What is an IgM?

Answer 1

immunoglobulin M (IgM) is the largest antibody and first to appear
- IgM is detectable 4 - 7 days after an infection starts and are short lived; so their presence indicate recent or current infection

Question 2

What is an IgG?

Answer 2

• immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most common antibody found in the blood and a major effector of the humoral response
• express predominant activity during a secondary antibody response
• IgG antibodies have a relatively high affinity and persist in the circulation for a really long time
• produced 7 - 14 days after infection and are detectable for weeks to years post infection

Question 3

What is the difference between IgM and IgG?

Answer 3

• represent different stages of an immune response
• IgM is larger and the first to appear
• IgG - most common antibody found in the blood and a major effector molecule of the humoral response; persist in circulating for a longer time