Antibodies Functions
Following are some of the functions of antibodies:
- Antibodies recognise and bind to specific anigen.
- It blocks the toxins and harmful effects of pathogen by neutralizing it.
- It marks the pathogen for destruction by immune cells.
- Antibodies trigger the complement system for pathogen destruction.
- It stimulate natural killer cells to destroy infected cells.
- It forms memory for rapid and robust response upon re-exposure to the same pathogen.
- It regulate the various immune responses.
Antibody – Structure, Functions, and Types
Antibody proteins are Y-shaped proteins that recognize and neutralize pathogens in the immune system. Antibodies play an important role in immune defense. Antibody structure consists of four polypeptide chains—two heavy and two light—and they form a distinctive structure with variable and constant regions.
There are five main types of antibodies: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE, each having a specific role in the immune responses. Antibody functions include recognizing and binding to specific antigens, marking them for destruction or neutralization by the immune system. In this article, we will study antibody structure, function, types, and differences between antibodies and antigens.
Table of Content
- What are Antibodies?
- Structure of the Antibody
- Antibody Diagram
- Antibody Types
- Antibodies Functions
- Production and Mechanism of Action
- Applications of Antibodies in Medicines
- Difference between Antigen and Antibody