Antigenantikorp

Antigenantikorp is a term that refers to the interaction between an antigen and an antibody. An antigen is a substance, typically foreign to the body, that can trigger an immune response. This response often involves the production of antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by specialized white blood cells called B lymphocytes, which are a key component of the adaptive immune system.

When an antigen enters the body, such as from a virus or bacterium, B cells recognize it as foreign. In response, certain B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which are factories for producing antibodies. These antibodies are highly specific; each antibody is designed to bind to a particular antigen. This binding is often described as a lock-and-key mechanism, where the antibody's binding site perfectly matches a specific region on the antigen, known as an epitope.

The binding of an antigen to its corresponding antibody serves several crucial functions in immunity. It can neutralize the antigen directly, for instance, by blocking a virus from entering a cell. Antibodies can also opsonize antigens, essentially marking them for destruction by other immune cells like phagocytes. Furthermore, antibody-antigen complexes can activate other parts of the immune system, such as the complement system, leading to further pathogen elimination. This antigen-antibody interaction is fundamental to how the immune system identifies and combats infections and is also the basis for many diagnostic tests and therapeutic strategies.