major histocompatibility complex

(noun)

a protein present on the extracellular surface of the cell that displays portions of the proteins that are degraded inside the cell

Related Terms

  • T cell
  • lymphocyte

Examples of major histocompatibility complex in the following topics:

  • Cell-Mediated Immunity

    • These fragments are then transported to the surface of the APC, where they are presented on proteins known as Major Histocompatibility Complexes class II (MHC II, see ).
    • To recognize which cells to pursue, TC recognize antigens presented on MHC I complexes, which are present on all nucleated cells.
    • MHC I complexes display a current readout of intracellular proteins inside a cell and will present pathogen antigens if the pathogen is present in the cell.
  • Antigen-presenting Cells: B and T cells

    • Instead, they recognize antigens presented on major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) that cells use to display which proteins are inside of them.
  • Natural Killer Cells

    • T cells are lymphocytes that mature in the thymus gland and identify intracellular infections, especially from viruses, by the altered expression of major histocompatibility class (MHC) I molecules on the surface of infected cells.
  • Signaling in Yeast

    • Yeasts are single-celled eukaryotes; therefore, they have a nucleus and organelles characteristic of more complex life forms.
    • Comparisons of the genomes of yeasts, nematode worms, fruit flies, and humans illustrate the evolution of increasingly-complex signaling systems that allow for the efficient inner workings that keep humans and other complex life forms functioning correctly.
    • Kinases are a major component of cellular communication.
    • More complex organisms such as nematode worms and fruit flies have 454 and 239 kinases, respectively.
  • Strategies for Acquiring Energy

    • All living things require energy in one form or another since energy is required by most, complex, metabolic pathways (often in the form of ATP); life itself is an energy-driven process.
    • Living organisms would not be able to assemble macromolecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and complex carbohydrates) from their monomeric subunits without a constant energy input.
    • Photoautotrophs, such as plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, serve as the energy source for a majority of the world's ecosystems.
    • The energy stored in ATP is used to synthesize complex organic molecules, such as glucose.
    • This allows chemoautotrophs to synthesize complex organic molecules, such as glucose, for their own energy and in turn supplies energy to the rest of the ecosystem.
  • Modeling Ecosystem Dynamics

    • Most scientists agree that high atmospheric carbon dioxide is a major cause of global climate change.
    • They are mathematically complex models that are good at predicting components of ecosystems such as food chains.
    • However, their accuracy is limited by their simplification of complex ecosystems.
    • Like analytical models, simulation models use complex algorithms to predict ecosystem dynamics.
    • However, sophisticated computer programs have enabled simulation models to predict responses in complex ecosystems.
  • Living Mammals

    • Living mammals can be classified into three major classes: eutherians, monotremes, and metatherians.
    • Marsupials differ from eutherians in that there is a less complex placental connection.
    • Eutherian mammals are sometimes called placental mammals because all species possess a complex placenta that connects a fetus to the mother, allowing for gas, fluid, and nutrient exchange.
    • While other mammals possess a less complex placenta or briefly have a placenta, all eutherians possess a complex placenta during gestation.
  • Characteristics of Eukaryotic DNA

    • Eukaryotes, having probably evolved from prokaryotes, have more complex traits in both cell and DNA organization.
    • Prokaryotic cells are known to be much less complex than eukaryotic cells since eukaryotic cells are considered to be present at a later point of evolution.
    • Differences in complexity can be seen at the cellular level.
    • A major DNA difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes is the presence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in eukaryotes.
  • Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries

    • The blood from the heart is carried through the body by a complex network of blood vessels .
    • The main artery is the aorta that branches into other major arteries, which take blood to different limbs and organs.
    • The major veins drain blood from the same organs and limbs that the major arteries supply.
    • The blood from the heart is carried through the body by a complex network of blood vessels.
    • This diagram illustrates the major human arteries and veins of the human body.
  • Metabolic Pathways

    • Anabolic pathways require an input of energy to synthesize complex molecules from simpler ones.
    • Catabolic pathways involve the degradation of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing the chemical energy stored in the bonds of those molecules.
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