Difference between revisions of "Antibody"
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: When an [[organism]] is [[infected]] [[lymphocyte]]s produce hundreds of different '''antibodies''' until one works. | : When an [[organism]] is [[infected]] [[lymphocyte]]s produce hundreds of different '''antibodies''' until one works. | ||
: Once a [[lymphocyte]] has produce a working [[antibody]] it will remember and reproduce it any time the same [[pathogen]] [[infection|infects]] the [[organism]]. | : Once a [[lymphocyte]] has produce a working [[antibody]] it will remember and reproduce it any time the same [[pathogen]] [[infection|infects]] the [[organism]]. | ||
| − | : If a | + | : If a patient's own '''antibodies''' are not able to get rid of a [[pathogen]] [[scientist]]s can find and [[organism]] that makes '''antibodies''' that do work and copy them to be injected into the patient. These are called [[Monoclonal Antibody|monoclonal '''antibodies''']]. |
Revision as of 11:46, 5 April 2019
Key Stage 3
Meaning
An antibody is a chemical made by white blood cells that help fight infection.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
An antibody is a chemical made by lymphocytes that is used to fight pathogens.
About Antibodies
- Antibodies attach themselves to chemicals known as antigens which are proteins found on the surfaces of different pathogens or other cells.
- Some antibodies can directly damage or destroy a pathogen.
- Some antibodies attach themselves to pathogens to make it easier for phagocytes to engulf and destroy them. They act like tags to tell the phagocytes which cells to attack.
- When an organism is infected lymphocytes produce hundreds of different antibodies until one works.
- Once a lymphocyte has produce a working antibody it will remember and reproduce it any time the same pathogen infects the organism.
- If a patient's own antibodies are not able to get rid of a pathogen scientists can find and organism that makes antibodies that do work and copy them to be injected into the patient. These are called monoclonal antibodies.