Life: The Science of Biology 11th Edition

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1-31901-016-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-31901-016-4

Chapter 41 - Immunology: Animal defense Systems - 41.4 - The Humoral Adaptive Response Involves Antibodies - 41.4 Recap - Learning Outcomes - Page 882: 3

Answer

Each gene that codes for an immunoglobulin chain is actually a “supergene” that consists of many smaller genes scattered across a portion of a chromosome and demonstrates unique genetic recombinations. In this sense, a particular immunoglobulin supergene is put together from selected "parts," therefore being able to cover a wide variety of antibodies.

Work Step by Step

Each gene that codes for an immunoglobulin chain is actually a “supergene” that consists of many smaller genes scattered across a portion of a chromosome and demonstrates unique genetic recombinations. In this sense, a particular immunoglobulin supergene is put together from selected "parts," therefore being able to cover a wide variety of antibodies.
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