Question

multiple choice question
the type of recombination whereby several hundred dna segments are shuffled and combined in various ways to produce antibody genes unique to each clone of b cells is ______ recombination.

• somatic
• clonal selection
• systemic
• hypermutation

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Somatic recombination: Occurs in B cells, shuffling DNA segments to generate unique antibody genes for each B cell clone. This matches the description.
• Clonal selection: Is about selecting and expanding B cells with specific antibodies, not DNA shuffling for antibody genes.
• Systemic: Relates to the whole body (e.g., systemic disease), not DNA recombination for antibodies.
• Hypermutation: Involves point mutations in antibody genes after recombination, not the initial shuffling of DNA segments to form antibody genes.

Answer:

A. somatic