WHAT ARE ANTIBODIES? Antibodies are an important part of the immune syster . These proteins - also known as immunoglobulins - help defend the body against foreign matter, especially bacteria, viruses and parasites. They are produced by B lymphocytes, white blood cells whose specific purpose is to make contact with foreign matter and then release one or more of a number of antibodies, with immunoglobulin G occuring most commonly in blood. It has two bonding sites that xan recognise an invading molecule, or antigen. When a bacterium carrying this antigen on its surface enters the body, the antibodies recognise and bind to the antigen so that the intruder is either paralysed or destroyed by immune cells. Immunisation against a specific disease prompts the immune system to produce immune cells and antibodies in the blood which, if the body becomes infected with the disease at some time in the future, will try to destroy the pathogens.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 02:35:09 +0000
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