Answer :
Final answer:
The immune system of a person allergic to dust mites responds to proteins in the mites. Dust mite proteins are allergens that cause an IgE antibody response, potentially due to the hygiene hypothesis, where the lack of pathogens leads to the immune system targetting innocuous antigens.The correct option is (a) proteins
Explanation:
The immune system of a person who is allergic to house dust mites reacts to proteins in the mites. An allergy occurs when the immune system produces an inflammatory response to a harmless antigen, which in the case of dust mites, are specific proteins. Common allergens can include substances like pollen, dust mites, and certain foods, which typically do not cause harm to non-allergic individuals.
Antibodies, especially those of the IgE class, play a crucial role in allergic reactions. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that increased cleanliness in developed countries may lead to a decreased exposure to pathogens, thereby causing the immune system to react to harmless antigens such as those found in dust mites. It's posited that this might be a contributing factor to the rising incidence of allergies.
Therefore, when an allergic person's blood is tested, it typically shows that they have antibodies that bind to foreign proteins, which are the allergens triggering their symptoms. Thus, the allergenic component of dust mites that provokes an immune response is indeed their protein content.
