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Dictionary » A » Antibody

Antibody

Definition

noun, plural: antibodies

Any of the numerous Y-shaped gamma globulin proteins found in the blood or lymph, and produced by B cells as an immune defense against foreign agents (antigens). Each antibody has a region that binds specifically to a particular antigen which it neutralizes. It is typically made up of large heavy chains and small light chains.


Supplement

Antibodies are grouped based on their mode of action. Some of which are as follows:

Antibodies may be produced by direct exposure to foreign agents (active immunity). They may also be passed on from mother to offspring via milk (passive immunity).


Word origin: German Antikörper: from Latin anti- + körper (body).

Abbreviation: Ab

Synonym:

Compare: antigen

Related terms:


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Results from our forum


Photosynthesis

... or pathways, one common mechanism is to inhibit or knock out certain stage of the pathway and see what happens. Eliminate some receptor with an antibody or make a knock-out organism that lacks a gene for, say, some enzyme, and see what process gets modified/prevented, and then study the mechanism ...

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by biohazard
Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:42 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Photosynthesis
Replies: 10
Views: 263

chicken pox antibodies

I'll to look up my immunology notes when I get back home, but I think remember that only the one-unit antibody (IgG) cross the placenta, not IgM and IgA. I think it may be possible that the antibody is IgM, case in which it won't cross. If my memory is correct then IgA won't ...

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by MrMistery
Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:47 pm
 
Forum: Microbiology
Topic: chicken pox antibodies
Replies: 2
Views: 107

Research in plants producing human antibodies!!?

... of doing my PhD in manipulating plants to produce antibodies for humans. I’m kind of stuck on the part of working out the gene that makes the antibody?...I know they are companies online that can produce a specific antibody from injecting a mammal with an antigen. I think I can get 20uL for ...

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by seamoro
Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:15 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Research in plants producing human antibodies!!?
Replies: 3
Views: 199

T cell differentiation

... have plenty of chances to encounter their antigen (presented by APCs such as dendritic cells) or excert their effector function (e.g. to induce antibody production by B cells [CD4+ helper cells] or kill infected cells directly [CD8+ cytotoxic cells]) I don't have the RTE paper at hand at the ...

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by biohazard
Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:53 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: T cell differentiation
Replies: 12
Views: 2252

How would Gene Proteins Work as A Vaccine?

... - even if it is a protruding protein, say a marker on a bacterium, it usually won't "present" to the immune system in such a way that an antibody can actually attach to the protein on the actual pathogen. I'll give an example - it was recently found that part of a protruding protein on ...

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by Darby
Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:12 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: How would Gene Proteins Work as A Vaccine?
Replies: 3
Views: 568
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