ANTIAGGLUTININ Meaning and
Definition
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An antiagglutinin is a substance, generally an antibody or a medication, which inhibits or prevents agglutination. Agglutination refers to the clumping together of particles or cells, typically caused by the binding of antigens and antibodies. It is a natural response of the immune system or can be induced in laboratory settings.
Antiagglutinins are specifically designed to counteract or neutralize the effect of agglutinins, which are substances that cause agglutination. Agglutinins can be found in various bodily fluids, such as blood or saliva, and they play a crucial role in the immune response by facilitating the elimination of foreign microorganisms or pathogens.
By preventing agglutination, antiagglutinins help to promote the dispersion and separation of particles or cells, enhancing their individual functions or facilitating the analysis and examination of biological samples. Antiagglutinins are often utilized in laboratory techniques like blood typing, where they interfere with agglutination reactions, aiding in the identification of an individual's blood group.
In the medical field, antiagglutinins can also be therapeutically employed to counteract certain diseases or conditions characterized by excessive agglutination, such as autoimmune disorders or blood clotting disorders. These substances work by either inhibiting the interaction between agglutinins and their targets, or by directly disrupting the agglutination process.
Overall, the role of antiagglutinins is to regulate and modulate the agglutination response in various biological contexts, thus providing a valuable tool in both diagnostics and therapeutics.
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A specific antibody preventing the action of an agglutinin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ANTIAGGLUTININ
- zntiagglutinin
- sntiagglutinin
- wntiagglutinin
- qntiagglutinin
- abtiagglutinin
- amtiagglutinin
- ajtiagglutinin
- ahtiagglutinin
- anriagglutinin
- anfiagglutinin
- angiagglutinin
- anyiagglutinin
- an6iagglutinin
- an5iagglutinin
- antuagglutinin
- antjagglutinin
- antkagglutinin
- antoagglutinin
- ant9agglutinin
- ant8agglutinin
Etymology of ANTIAGGLUTININ
The word "antiagglutinin" is derived from two main components: "anti-" and "agglutinin".
1. "Anti-": This prefix is of Greek origin, meaning "against" or "opposite". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to indicate opposition or counteraction.
2. "Agglutinin": This word is derived from the Latin term "agglutinare", meaning "to glue together". In a biological context, an agglutinin refers to a substance that causes particles or cells to clump or stick together, often through the process of agglutination. So, an agglutinin promotes the adhesion or aggregation of particles.
Combining these terms, "antiagglutinin" refers to a substance or agent that works against or inhibits agglutination, preventing the clumping or sticking together of particles or cells.
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