Question
01/16
Antigens are made from which macromolecule?
Lipids
Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids

Question

Question 01/16 Antigens are made from which macromolecule? Lipids Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids

UpStudy AI · Accepted Answer

$$ \textbf{Step 1: Understanding Antigens} $$  
An antigen is a substance that induces an immune response, usually by being recognized as “non-self” by the immune system.

$$ \textbf{Step 2: Common Types of Antigens} $$  
Most antigens encountered in immunology are proteins. In fact, proteins are the most frequent type of antigen because they have complex three‐dimensional structures and multiple epitopes that the immune system can recognize.

$$ \textbf{Step 3: Analysis of the Given Options} $$  
The provided answer choices are:  
- Lipids  
- Carbohydrates  
- Nucleic Acids

Since proteins are the most common antigens but are not given as an option, we analyze the remaining macromolecules.

$$ \textbf{Step 4: Considering Lipids and Nucleic Acids} $$  
- Lipids by themselves are generally not strongly immunogenic; however, they can become antigenic when attached to proteins (forming glycolipids).  
- Nucleic acids are typically not immunogenic on their own.

$$ \textbf{Step 5: Carbohydrates as Antigens} $$  
Carbohydrates, such as bacterial capsular polysaccharides, can serve as antigens. Although they often induce a T-cell independent response (which may be less robust than responses to protein antigens), they are recognized by the immune system as antigenic.

$$ \textbf{Conclusion} $$  
Out of the given options, the most correct answer is  
$$
\boxed{\text{Carbohydrates}}
$$
Carbohydrates are the macromolecules that antigens are made from.

Question
01/16
Antigens are made from which macromolecule?
Lipids
Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids

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