ANTIGEN RECEPTOR Meaning and
Definition
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Antigen receptor refers to a specialized protein molecule that is present on the surface of immune cells, particularly on B cells and T cells, and is involved in recognizing and binding to specific molecules called antigens. These receptors play a critical role in the immune response by enabling the identification and targeting of foreign substances, such as pathogens or abnormal cells, for destruction.
The structure of an antigen receptor is highly diverse and unique to each immune cell, allowing for the recognition of a wide range of antigens. The receptor consists of two distinct chains - heavy chains and light chains in the case of B-cell receptors, and alpha and beta chains in the case of T-cell receptors. These chains are assembled through a process called somatic recombination, leading to an enormous repertoire of different receptor molecules.
When an antigen enters the body, the antigen receptors on B cells or T cells bind to specific regions on the antigen. This binding triggers a cascade of events that ultimately activate the immune response. B cells, upon recognizing an antigen, can differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies that can neutralize or eliminate the antigen. T cells, on the other hand, can directly destroy infected cells or induce immune response through the release of chemical signals called cytokines.
The antigen receptor is a fundamental component of the adaptive immune system, enabling the immune cells to distinguish between self and non-self, and facilitating the immune response to eradicate foreign invaders.
Common Misspellings for ANTIGEN RECEPTOR
- zntigen receptor
- sntigen receptor
- wntigen receptor
- qntigen receptor
- abtigen receptor
- amtigen receptor
- ajtigen receptor
- ahtigen receptor
- anrigen receptor
- anfigen receptor
- angigen receptor
- anyigen receptor
- an6igen receptor
- an5igen receptor
- antugen receptor
- antjgen receptor
- antkgen receptor
- antogen receptor
- ant9gen receptor
- ant8gen receptor
Etymology of ANTIGEN RECEPTOR
The term "antigen receptor" is a composite of two separate words, "antigen" and "receptor".
The word "antigen" dates back to the early 20th century and is derived from the terms "anti-" meaning "against" and "gen" meaning "generate" or "produce". It was initially used to describe substances that induce the generation of antibodies in the body's immune response. The term "antigen" refers to any foreign substance, such as bacteria, virus, or toxin, that can trigger an immune response by stimulating the production of specific antibodies.
The word "receptor" originated from the Latin word "receptus", meaning "receiver" or "recipient". It is used to describe a protein molecule or cell structure that binds specifically to another molecule or ligand, thereby initiating a biological response.
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