Process that leads to increased affinity of antibodies for a protein antigen as a humoral response progresses through somatic mutation of ig genes to selective survival of b cells is called

Answer: Affinity maturation

Affinity maturation is the process that leads to increased affinity of antibodies for a protein antigen as humoral response progresses. B cell maturation in the germinal center is a result of somatic mutation of immunoglobulin genes, which provide the molecular basis for the selective survival of B cells producing the highest affinity antibodies. These B cells are thought to have a competitive advantage when antigen becomes limiting in germinal centers.

The answer is affinity maturation. The process allows the B cells and humoral response to be more effective against the same antigen with every secondary infections.

Affinity maturation is the result of somatic hypermutation of the genes that code for variable region (Fab) of immunoglobulins. This increases the variability of the B cell receptors hence increased probability for affinity of Ig to the antigen. The Ig variant that is effective against the antigen will be selected and reproduced by memory B cell during secondary infections.