| Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins are large | | | | neutralize the foreign body. The production of |
| y-shaped proteins which function to identify and help | | | | antibodies by B-cells is the main function of the |
| remove foreign antigens such as viruses and bacteria. | | | | humoral immune system. |
| In mammals there are five main types of antibodies | | | | Autoimmune disorders can usually be traced to |
| including: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. There are 4 IgG | | | | antibodies which bind the body's own proteins or |
| and 2 IgA subtypes present in humans. | | | | epitopes, and these types of antibodies can be |
| Antibodies are created by plasma cells which are | | | | detected through serological blood tests. Due to the |
| derived from the B-cells in the immune system. Due | | | | amazing specificity of antibodies, they have some |
| to the fact that antibodies exist freely in the | | | | important practical applications in both medicine for |
| bloodstream or bound to cell membranes, they are | | | | the detection of HIV and other viruses in blood, and |
| said to be part of the humoral immune system. | | | | in research to purify and detect proteins in the study |
| Every different antibody recognizes a specific foreign | | | | of molecular biology. For example, currently medicine |
| antigen. This is because the two tips of its "Y" are | | | | is using biotechnologically designed monoclonal |
| different to each antibody are allow different | | | | antibodies which work as an antibody therapy. These |
| antibodies to bind to different foreign antigens. When | | | | methods are being employed recently and are the |
| the antibody binds to a bacteria, it tags the microbe | | | | result of numerous clinical trials in a number of |
| or virus for attack by the immune system such as | | | | diseases including cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| killer T-cells. Sometimes, antibodies can directly | | | | |