Antibody


An antibody or immunoglobulin is a large Y-shaped glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. An antibody contains two sites called that recognize a specific target, which is called an antigen.[1] Paratopes can be thought of as similar to locks and are specific for just one particular part of the antigen called an epitope, which can be considered similar to a key. This specific lock and key interaction allows an antibody to tag a microbe or an infected cell for attack by other parts of the immune system. The binding of an antibody can also neutralize its antigen target directly by, for example, blocking a part of a microbe that is essential for its survival and growth in the body.[2] The production of antibodies is the main function of the humoral immune system.[3]