Question

There are many macromolecules which can act as an antigen to provoke the cell for immune response. Homopolymer of which among the following would generate maximum immune response?

• A. Polymer of amino acids (proteins)
• B. Polymer of sugars (Carbohydrates)
• C. Polymer of lipid monomers (Lipids)
• D. Polymer of nucleotides (Nucleic acids)

Answer 1

The correct option is A Polymer of amino acids (proteins)

An antigen is a substance which is basically recognised by the immune system as a threat to the body and which provokes the cells to trigger the body's immune response. Antigen can be a chemical, toxin, bacteria, viruses or the macromolecules these pathogens produce, which are basically not a part of the body. Most of the antigens are basically composed of proteins or polysaccharides but may also be a lipid, or simple polypeptide or nucleic acid.

A strong antigen is that which provokes a powerful immune response. It is the degree of complexity of the antigen that is required to provoke a strong immune response and proteins are highly complex and immunogenic which creates a high intensity immune response, followed by carbohydrates, then lipids and then nucleic acids.