ANTIGEN RECEPTORS Meaning and
Definition
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Antigen receptors are specific proteins found on the surface of immune cells that play a crucial role in the recognition and response to foreign substances, known as antigens. These receptors are primarily found on two types of immune cells: B cells and T cells.
B cell antigen receptors (BCRs) are antibody molecules that are anchored onto the surface of B cells. They are composed of two heavy chains and two light chains, which come together to create a unique binding region that can recognize and bind to specific antigens. BCRs are responsible for initiating an immune response by enabling B cells to produce antibodies against the recognized antigen.
T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) are receptor molecules found on the surface of T cells. They are composed of two chains: an alpha chain and a beta chain. Like BCRs, TCRs also possess a unique binding region that can recognize specific antigens. However, unlike BCRs, TCRs cannot bind to antigens directly. Instead, they require assistance from other immune cells to recognize antigens that are displayed on the surface of cells, known as major histocompatibility complex molecules.
Overall, antigen receptors are critical for the adaptive immune response, as they allow immune cells to identify foreign substances and initiate an immune reaction against them. Their ability to recognize specific antigens enables the immune system to mount targeted responses to various pathogens and contribute to the body's defense against infections and diseases.
Common Misspellings for ANTIGEN RECEPTORS
- zntigen receptors
- sntigen receptors
- wntigen receptors
- qntigen receptors
- abtigen receptors
- amtigen receptors
- ajtigen receptors
- ahtigen receptors
- anrigen receptors
- anfigen receptors
- angigen receptors
- anyigen receptors
- an6igen receptors
- an5igen receptors
- antugen receptors
- antjgen receptors
- antkgen receptors
- antogen receptors
- ant9gen receptors
- ant8gen receptors
Etymology of ANTIGEN RECEPTORS
The word "antigen receptors" has a straightforward etymology. The term can be broken down into two parts:
1. Antigen: The word "antigen" originated in the early 20th century and is derived from the combination of "anti-" (against) and "gen" (short for "generating" or "generated"). The term was coined to describe substances that generate an immune response in the body. "Antigen" refers to any molecule or substance (such as proteins, carbohydrates, or nucleic acids) that can be recognized by the immune system as foreign or non-self, triggering an immune response.
2. Receptors: The term "receptor" comes from the Latin word "receptor" (meaning "receiver" or "holder"). In the context of biology, receptors are proteins or other molecules on the surface or inside cells that can bind specifically to certain molecules called ligands.
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