Outline the basic steps in the gene rearrangement necessary to produce the T cell

Question

antigen receptor and state how this contributes to the ability of T cells to respond to
various antigens.

What will be an ideal response

Answer 1

The T cell antigen receptor contains two chains, alpha and beta or gamma and delta. A separate genetic locus exists
for each chain. Each genetic locus is comprised of many V genes, J genes, and C genes. To produce a single chain,
there is a random selection of one V gene, one J gene, and one C gene. The unused genes are spliced out, and the
three selected genes are fused together in a permanent gene rearrangement. Since there are many genes to choose
from and since selection is random, thousands of combinations are possible, and all of those combinations represent
the ability to respond to a different antigen.