Question

Which of the following statements about MHC are correct?

• A. It is a group of proteins called the Major Histocompatibility Complex
• B. It helps the T cells in self, non-self recognition
• C. It is present on both healthy cells and infected cells
• D. It is present only on some cells of the body

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

It is present on both healthy cells and infected cells

The efficient working of our immune system depends on its property of self and non-self recognition. It is important that the T cells destroy only infected cells and not the healthy ones. Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a cluster of proteins that is present on every cell of the body. It presents cellular proteins on the surface. If there is a virus inside a cell, MHC presents the viral proteins too on the cell surface. Hence, the T cell can easily distinguish the infected cells from the healthy ones.