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Antibodies definitions

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  • Antibody
    Y-shaped protein produced by plasma cells, capable of binding specifically to antigens and triggering immune responses.
  • Immunoglobulin
    Alternate name for a Y-shaped protein that binds antigens, abbreviated as IG and classified into five main types.
  • Plasma Cell
    Specialized immune cell responsible for synthesizing and secreting Y-shaped antigen-binding proteins.
  • Antigen
    Foreign molecule recognized and bound by specific Y-shaped immune proteins, initiating a defense response.
  • Polypeptide Chain
    Linear sequence of amino acids forming part of the Y-shaped immune protein, present as two identical light and two heavy forms.
  • Light Chain
    Smaller, identical pair of amino acid sequences in the Y-shaped immune protein, contributing to antigen binding.
  • Heavy Chain
    Larger, identical pair of amino acid sequences in the Y-shaped immune protein, forming the main structure.
  • Disulfide Bond
    Covalent linkage between sulfur atoms of cysteine residues, stabilizing the structure of the Y-shaped immune protein.
  • Variable Domain
    Region at the tip of each Y-shaped protein prong, containing the antigen-binding site and differing among molecules.
  • Constant Domain
    Region forming the stem and hinge of the Y-shaped protein, recognized by immune cells and remaining unchanged.
  • FAB Region
    Top portion of the Y-shaped protein containing antigen-binding sites, generated by splitting at the hinge.
  • FC Region
    Bottom portion of the Y-shaped protein containing the constant region, important for immune cell recognition.
  • Antigen-Binding Site
    Specific location at the tip of the Y-shaped protein where foreign molecules are recognized and attached.
  • Gene Rearrangement
    Process altering DNA segments to create diverse Y-shaped immune proteins, enabling recognition of many antigens.
  • Mutation
    Change in the genetic code that can result in new variants of Y-shaped immune proteins, increasing diversity.