Antibody: Difference between revisions
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Antibodies are large [[Glycoproteins|glycoproteins]] that help protect the body against [[Infection| | Antibodies are large [[Glycoproteins|glycoproteins]] that help protect the body against [[Infection|infection]]. They bind with a high degree of specificity to molecular structures ([[Antigens|antigens]]) on infectious agents. This can lead to enhanced killing of [[Microbes|microbes]] by [[Phagocytes|phagocytes]] or [[Complement|complement]]. | ||
They can be segregated into 5 classes; [[IgG|IgG]], [[IgM|IgM]], [[ImE|IgE]], [[IgA|IgA]] and [[IgD|IgD]]. Each of them has different distribution in the body. [[IgM|IgM]] and [[IgA|IgA]] are multimeric. The other three are [[Monomeric|monomeric]] antibodies. [[IgA|IgA]] exist as both multimeric and monomeric antibody in different tissues of the body. | They can be segregated into 5 classes; [[IgG|IgG]], [[IgM|IgM]], [[ImE|IgE]], [[IgA|IgA]] and [[IgD|IgD]]. Each of them has different distribution in the body. [[IgM|IgM]] and [[IgA|IgA]] are multimeric. The other three are [[Monomeric|monomeric]] antibodies. [[IgA|IgA]] exist as both multimeric and monomeric antibody in different tissues of the body. | ||
Antibody molecules are in the shape of a Y, and all consist of three parts that are connected together by disulphide bonds in order to form this Y shape. Antibodies are also made up of a | Antibody [[Molecule|molecules]] are in the shape of a Y, and all consist of three parts that are connected together by [[Disulphide bond|disulphide bonds]] in order to form this Y shape. Antibodies are also made up of a two [[Polypeptide|polypeptide]] chains; a heavy chain and a light chain. All [[Immunoglobulin|immunoglobulin]] molecules contain heavy and light chains that are identical, giving rise to two identical antigen-binding sites. | ||
two polypeptide chains; a heavy chain and a light chain. All immunoglobulin molecules contain heavy and light chains that are identical, giving rise to two identical antigen-binding sites. | |||
Revision as of 15:46, 14 November 2010
Antibodies are large glycoproteins that help protect the body against infection. They bind with a high degree of specificity to molecular structures (antigens) on infectious agents. This can lead to enhanced killing of microbes by phagocytes or complement.
They can be segregated into 5 classes; IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA and IgD. Each of them has different distribution in the body. IgM and IgA are multimeric. The other three are monomeric antibodies. IgA exist as both multimeric and monomeric antibody in different tissues of the body.
Antibody molecules are in the shape of a Y, and all consist of three parts that are connected together by disulphide bonds in order to form this Y shape. Antibodies are also made up of a two polypeptide chains; a heavy chain and a light chain. All immunoglobulin molecules contain heavy and light chains that are identical, giving rise to two identical antigen-binding sites.