Home > Terms > English, UK (UE) > Antibody

Antibody

1) A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Each antibody can bind to only a specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen.

2) An antibody is a protein component of the immune system that circulates in the blood, recognises foreign substances like bacteria and viruses, and neutralises them. After exposure to a foreign substance, called an antigen, antibodies continue to circulate in the blood, providing protection against future exposures to that antigen.

This is auto-generated content. You can help to improve it.
0
Improve it
More
Collect to Blossary

Other Languages:

More

Member comments

You have to log in to post to discussions.

Related terms

antibody
Biology; Immunology

Serum protein formed in response to immunization; antibodies are generally defined in terms of their specific binding to the immunizing antigen.

antibody
Natural environment; Coral reefs

A protein produced by higher animals in response to the presence of a specific antigen.

antibody
Medical; Herbal medicine

Immunologic proteins, usually made from immunoglobulins, that are capable of binding to, and rendering inactive, foreign substances that have entered the skin envelope and have ...

antibody
Veterinary health; Veterinary care

Proteins produced by the immune system in response to antigens; an important component of the immune system.

antibody
Health care; Flu prevention & treatment

A protein produced by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Our bodies fight off an infection by producing antibodies. An antibody reacts ...

eugenics
Biology; Human genome

Eugenics is a bio-social movement which advocates the practice that very talented people should spread their genes by having more children, and less talented people should be ...

celiac disease
Medical; Human genome

A digestive disease that is caused by an immune response to a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Celiac disease damages the lining of the ...

atherosclerosis
Medical; Human genome

1) Age, lifestyle, diet, and gene related degeneration of arteries due to deposition of lipoid plaques (atheromas) on inner arterial walls; main cause of coronary artery disease, ...

astigmatism
Medical; Human genome

1) Unequal curvature of the refractive surfaces of the eye. Thus a point source of light cannot be brought to a point focus on the retina but is spread over a more or less ...

bone marrow transplantation
Medical; Human genome

The transference of bone marrow from one human or animal to another.

cavernous
Medical; Human genome

1) Having caverns or cavities. 2) Of tissue: composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part.

Terms in the News

Featured Terms

Harry8L
  • 0

    Terms

  • 0

    Blossaries

  • 1

    Followers

Industry/Domain: Weather Category: Storms

Hurricane Earl

Hurricane Earl is the second major hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic season. It's expected to sideswipe much of the East Coast just ahead of the U.S. ...

Contributor

Featured blossaries

Most Googled People In The World

Category: Entertainment   1 9 Terms

Natural Remedies

Category: Arts   1 6 Terms

Browers Terms By Category

TERMS

SOCIAL

EXTRAS

SOLUTIONS