Would an antibody response against the B subunit of an A-B toxin protect against the effects of the toxin?
A) Yes. If antibodies bind to the B portion, the toxin can no longer bind to target cells and will thus not affect those cells.
B) No. Even if antibodies bind to the B portion of the toxin, it is the A portion that actually causes damage to the cell.
C) Yes. If antibodies bind to the B portion, that portion of the toxin does not become activated, and thus does not damage the host cell.
D) No. Even if antibodies bind to the B portion of the toxin, the toxin is still taken into the host cell by phagocytosis, damaging that cell.
E) This question cannot be answered. The immune system does not mount a strong response against proteins, so this situation is unlikely to occur.

Question

Would an antibody response against the B subunit of an A-B toxin protect against the effects of the toxin?
A) Yes. If antibodies bind to the B portion, the toxin can no longer bind to target cells and will thus not affect those cells.
B) No. Even if antibodies bind to the B portion of the toxin, it is the A portion that actually causes damage to the cell.
C) Yes. If antibodies bind to the B portion, that portion of the toxin does not become activated, and thus does not damage the host cell.
D) No. Even if antibodies bind to the B portion of the toxin, the toxin is still taken into the host cell by phagocytosis, damaging that cell.
E) This question cannot be answered. The immune system does not mount a strong response against proteins, so this situation is unlikely to occur.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Antibodies binding to the B subunit of an A-B toxin would prevent the toxin from binding to target cells and thus protect against the effects of the toxin. This is because the B subunit is responsible for binding to host cells, while the A subunit is responsible for the toxic effects once inside the cell. By preventing the B subunit from binding, the A subunit cannot enter the cell and cause damage.

Would an Antibody Response Against the B Subunit of an A-B