Introduction to Antigen and Antibody
Antigens and antibodies play crucial roles in the immune system. Antigens are foreign substances that trigger an immune response, while antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to neutralize these invaders. Understanding their differences is vital in immunology, disease prevention, and vaccine development. Let’s explore how they function and differ from each other.
Table of Differences Between Antigen and Antibody
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FAQs on Difference Between Antigen and Antibody
1. What is the main difference between antigen and antibody?
An antigen is any substance that can trigger an immune response, typically by binding to specific immune cells like antibodies. An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system in response to antigens, which helps neutralize or destroy the antigen.
2. What is an example of antibodies?
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a common type of antibody that helps protect against infections by neutralizing toxins and pathogens.
3. What is the principle of antigen and antibody interaction?
Antigens and antibodies interact based on their specific shapes and molecular structures. Antibodies bind to antigens in a lock-and-key manner, which marks the antigen for destruction or neutralization.
4. What is the difference between a virus and bacteria?
Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that require a host cell to replicate. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can live independently and reproduce on their own. Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and cannot be treated with antibiotics.
5. What is the difference between plasma and serum?
Plasma is the liquid component of blood that contains water, proteins, hormones, and waste products. Serum is plasma without the clotting factors (such as fibrinogen), which are removed when blood clots.
6. What is an example of an antigen?
A common example of an antigen is the protein on the surface of the flu virus or the bacteria Escherichia coli.
7. What is meant by opsonization?
Opsonization is the process by which pathogens are marked or coated with molecules (such as antibodies or complement proteins) that enhance their recognition and destruction by phagocytes (immune cells).
8. What is the principle of vaccination?
Vaccination involves introducing a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen (or a part of it, like an antigen) into the body. This stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells that will recognize and fight off the actual pathogen if encountered later.
9. What are the 5 types of antibodies?
The five types of antibodies are:
Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
Immunoglobulin D (IgD)
10. What are the 7 functions of antibodies?
The seven functions of antibodies include:
Neutralization of pathogens or toxins
Opsonization (enhancing phagocytosis)
Activation of the complement system
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)
Prevention of viral entry into host cells
Agglutination (clumping) of pathogens
Enhancing the clearance of pathogens from the body
