The Freund's complete adjuvant is a mixture of
The Freund's complete adjuvant is a mixture of
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) is an oil-in-water emulsion composed of mineral oil, an emulsifying agent (mannide monooleate), and heat-killed, dried Mycobacterium tuberculosis (or M. butyricum) cells. The mineral oil forms a depot at the injection site, slowing antigen release and prolonging immune stimulation. The Mycobacterium components — particularly muramyl dipeptide (MDP) from the bacterial cell wall — act as potent immunostimulants by activating macrophages and dendritic cells via Toll-like receptors (especially TLR2 and NOD2), triggering a strong Th1-polarised immune response characterised by IFN-γ and IL-12 production. FCA induces both humoral (antibody) and cell-mediated immunity and is widely used in animal experiments to raise high-titre antibodies. Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant (FIA) contains only mineral oil and emulsifier — it lacks Mycobacterium and produces a milder, predominantly humoral (Th2) response.