mrsamct
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Joined: 06 Aug 2011
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 Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 4:06 am Post subject: Antigens and Antibodies |
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Do you ever wonder how our body recovers itself from common cold and flu or other such infections? I am sure most of you will say that this phenomenon has something to do with the immune system of the body. But do you know how exactly does the immune system open an attack against these infections? Immune system of human beings works in a remarkable fashion. It has its own mechanism of identifying and destroying the 'foreign' substances. And this is where antigens and antibodies come into picture. So, let us understand in detail what are antigens and antibodies.
What are Antigens and Antibodies?
Antibodies are present in the body fluids and bloodstream of all vertebrates. These are Y shaped cells with two arms. They have two identical heavy chains on one arm and two identical light chains on the other. Antibodies are equipped with proteins that are located at the junction of two arms. The type of this protein varies for every group of antibody. It is this protein that determines the antigens that can be attacked by the antibody. Antigen on the other hand is a foreign substance that triggers the antibodies. Antigens could be a bacteria, virus, pollen or even the cells of other human beings. Antigens may be even a single molecule with a part of bacteria or virus. They are mostly proteins or polysaccharides.
Antigens and antibodies form a lock key arrangement. Meaning, every antibody is structured so that it can destroy the corresponding antigen. The antigen and antibody fit in perfectly after which the binding part of the antibody destroys the toxins in antigen and renders it ineffective. Sometimes, the antibodies may have to seek help from the plasma in order to destroy the antigen. In this case, the antibodies first coat the antigen, which is later engulfed by the white blood cells, thereby destroying it.
Antibodies belong to a protein family with large molecules, named immunoglobulins. These immunoglobulins are classified into nine chemically distinct classes. These include four classes of IgG, two classes of IgA and one class IgM, IgE, and IgD each. These immunoglobulins provide protection from various antigens at different levels.
One remarkable property of immune system is its ability to produce antibodies against every antigen for a long time. Even if you catch an infection just once in your lifetime, your immune system will keep on producing antibodies against the infectious antigen throughout your life. If you are attacked with the same kind of infection again, you have antibodies ready in your body to open an attack against the fresh antigens. Human body can produce and remember around one million different types of antibodies.
The most distinguished immune system function is its ability to recognize its own cells. The cells of the immune system have markers in the form that says 'self'. This enables the different types of antibodies to co-exist together. An attack is launched only when the antibody encounters a body that has a marker 'foreign'. However, on certain occasions the marking mechanism fails and the antibodies launch an attack upon its own cells. This results in autoimmune disorders which can play havoc in the body and lead to many immune system disorders.
Blood antigens and antibodies form the basis of blood group system and blood transfusion. Blood types are classified according to the presence or absence of a particular antigen in the blood. It is important to identify the type of antigen prior to blood transfusion to minimize the problem of rejection.
Thus in short, antibodies are the soldiers of the body whereas antigen are the enemy cells. Understanding the type of antigens and antibodies becomes imperative while diagnosing immune system disorders.
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