Why do pathogens present antigens?
Antigens on the surface of pathogens allow them to be identified by the immune system, and thus destroyed. Why do pathogens present antigens if all they do is facilitate their destruction? Do they server another purpose?
Comments
They serve a variety of purposes that relate to the position on the outside.
When we describe influenza virus as H1N1, H and N refers to enzymes essential for entering the cell: hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
they present antigens so they can bind to the active site of a cell in the body to try and destroy it. It presents it so it enables it to infect cells and eventually infect the body to cause an illness. Our bodys immune cells have adapted to this so it may recognize it as foreign. I'm sure thats the only purpose not 100% though