Ahstillwell (talk | contribs) (New page: An '''antibody''' is a substance produced by lymphocytes in response to an antigen so that it may destroy or control it.) |
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| − | An '''antibody''' is a substance produced by lymphocytes in response to an antigen so that it may destroy or control it. |
+ | An '''antibody''' is a substance produced by lymphocytes in response to an antigen so that it may destroy or control it. |
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| + | Antibodies can neutralise antigens in a number of ways: |
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| + | *initiating lysis, or disentigration, of the antigen |
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| + | *neutralising bacterial toxins |
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| + | *coating the antigen |
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| + | *forming a complex to stimulate phagocytosis |
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| + | *promoting agglutination |
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| + | *preventing the antigen from adhering to host cells |
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Revision as of 04:01, 3 June 2008
An antibody is a substance produced by lymphocytes in response to an antigen so that it may destroy or control it.
Antibodies can neutralise antigens in a number of ways:
- initiating lysis, or disentigration, of the antigen
- neutralising bacterial toxins
- coating the antigen
- forming a complex to stimulate phagocytosis
- promoting agglutination
- preventing the antigen from adhering to host cells