Following mRNA vaccination against a novel influenza strain, what happens to the average antibody affinity within a germinal center over several weeks?

💡 Explanation

Antibody affinity increases over time due to somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation within germinal centers. B cells producing higher-affinity antibodies outcompete those with lower affinity because they can bind antigen more effectively and receive survival signals. Therefore, the average antibody affinity increases, rather than remaining constant or decreasing.

• If gene therapy successfully restores function to retinal pigment epithelium cells in a patient with age-related macular degeneration, which consequence follows regarding waste removal from photoreceptor cells?
• A patient with arthritis takes a COX-2 selective inhibitor. Why does this drug regimen reduce inflammation and pain?
• Following a severe burn, which mechanism explains the elevated risk of sepsis due to increased inflammation?
• Why does pulsatile GnRH secretion improve fertility outcomes compared to continuous GnRH administration during assisted reproductive technology?
• During rapid eccentric contraction of the quadriceps, which consequence follows regarding the behavior of individual sarcomeres?
• If a patient's pancreas fails to produce sufficient bicarbonate during digestion, which consequence follows regarding fat absorption?