Question #f6aec

1 Answer
Aug 14, 2017

The ability to express both IgD and IgM is due to alternative mRNA splicing

Explanation:

The question is probably not complete, since none of the mentioned possibilities are true. The ability of B-cells to express both IgM and IgD has to do with mRNA splicing .

Genes encoding voor immunoglobulins have different parts that can be transcribed. Different combinations of these parts yield different types of immunoglobulins. This 'cutting and pasting' can happen at the level of mRNA. Therefore one mRNA can be translated into different immunoglobulins, this is called alternative mRNA splicing.

IgD and IgM can both be expressed, because they originate from the same mRNA. The B-cell cuts and pastes this mRNA to form two different immunoglobulins (see image below).

Immunobiology, Garland Science 6th edition