Explain The Terms antigens And Antibody

Question 1

What are antibodies? How do they work? Describe the structure.

Answer 1

Antibodies belong to a group of glycoproteins known as immunoglobulin .

Antibodies:
- bind to antigens, labelling them as targets for other defence cells such as chronic T cells and macrophages
- bind to bacterial toxins, neutralising them
- activate complement

Antibody structures have antigen binding sites on the end of the Y structure. The Y structure has light chain and a heavy chain at the top. It contains disulphide bonds.

Question 2

Explain classification of antibodies

Answer 2

Antibodies are classified according to the structure and location of their heavy chain.

They have two lights chains, made of polypeptides.

The chains are linked by disulphide bonds, making the antibodies a Y shape or a T shape.

Question 3

What are antigens?

Answer 3

A molecule that causes the body to make an immune response against that molecule.

Examples:
- toxins
- chemicals
- bacteria + viruses
Or any substance that come from outside the body.