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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.
- Part of Speech: noun
- Synonym(s):
- Blossary:
- Industry/Domain: Health care
- Category: Genetic disorders
- Company: National Library of Medicine
- Product:
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