Which immunoglobulin crosses the placenta to provide fetal protection?

Prepare for your Microbial Growth Phases, Oxygen Needs, and Immunity Types Test. Use our multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations for each answer to enhance your understanding and ensure success!

Multiple Choice

Which immunoglobulin crosses the placenta to provide fetal protection?

Explanation:
Maternal antibodies cross the placenta to give the fetus passive protection, and this transfer happens only for IgG. The placenta uses Fc receptors (FcRn) to grab IgG and move it into fetal circulation, so the newborn has immediate immune defense after birth. Other immunoglobulins don’t cross in meaningful amounts: IgA mainly protects mucosal surfaces and is provided to the infant mainly through breast milk, IgM is too large to pass the placental barrier, and IgD is not transferred to the fetus.

Maternal antibodies cross the placenta to give the fetus passive protection, and this transfer happens only for IgG. The placenta uses Fc receptors (FcRn) to grab IgG and move it into fetal circulation, so the newborn has immediate immune defense after birth. Other immunoglobulins don’t cross in meaningful amounts: IgA mainly protects mucosal surfaces and is provided to the infant mainly through breast milk, IgM is too large to pass the placental barrier, and IgD is not transferred to the fetus.

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