Immunology

Question 1

IgM general characteristics

Answer 1

• Mu heavy chain
• 900 Da
• no placental transfer
• can fix complement well

Question 2

IgG general characteristics

Answer 2

• gamma heavy chain
• 150 Da
• placental transfer
• some can fix complement

Question 3

IgM characteristics that are unique to red cells

Answer 3

• naturally occurring
• react best at 4C
• “cold”
• agglutinate cells in saline (have 5 arms)
• clinically insignificant (don’t readily react in vivo)

Question 4

IgG characteristics that are unique to RBCs

Answer 4

• red cell stimulated
• react best at 37C
• ‘warm’
• need enhancement to agglutinate cells
• clinically significant