Antibodies that function in innate immunity

Options

A. Mass replication
B. Clonal selection
C. Mass selection
D. Pure line selection

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Innate Immunity**: Innate immunity is the first line of defense against pathogens and is non-specific. It includes physical barriers, immune cells, and various proteins, but it does not primarily involve antibodies.

2. **Identifying Antibodies in Immunity**: Antibodies are primarily associated with adaptive immunity, which is specific and involves the activation of lymphocytes (B cells and T cells). However, some antibodies can have roles in innate immunity.

3. **Types of Antibodies**: The main types of antibodies are IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE, and IgD. Among these, IgM is often the first antibody produced in response to an infection and can be considered to have a role in innate immunity due to its rapid response.

4. **Clonal Selection**: The term "clonal selection" refers to the process by which specific lymphocytes (B cells) are selected for proliferation based on their ability to bind to a specific antigen. This is a key mechanism in adaptive immunity, not innate immunity.

5. **Conclusion**: The question asks specifically about antibodies in innate immunity. While antibodies are primarily associated with adaptive immunity, the process of clonal selection is crucial for the adaptive immune response, where specific antibodies are produced in response to an antigen.

6. **Final Answer**: The correct answer to the question is "clonal selection," as it describes the mechanism by which specific antibodies are produced in response to an antigen, although this is primarily a feature of adaptive immunity.