FC FRAGMENT Meaning and
Definition
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The Fc fragment, also known as the fragment crystallizable region, is a region on the antibody molecule that plays a significant role in the immune system. The Fc fragment is found at the tail end of the antibody and is responsible for various functions, including binding to immune cells and activating immune responses.
In terms of structure, the Fc fragment is the portion of the antibody that does not directly bind to antigens. It is composed of two identical heavy chains of the antibody molecule. These heavy chains contain specific regions that determine the class or isotype of the antibody, such as IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, or IgE.
The primary function of the Fc fragment is to interact with other components of the immune system. It can bind to specific receptors on immune cells like macrophages, natural killer cells, and neutrophils. This binding triggers a series of immune responses, including the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection, clearance of pathogens through phagocytosis, and activation of the complement system.
The Fc fragment also plays a crucial role in antibody-mediated effector functions. It facilitates the binding of antibodies to particular target cells or pathogens, leading to their neutralization or destruction. Additionally, the Fc fragment can activate the complement system, which helps in the opsonization and elimination of foreign substances.
In summary, the Fc fragment is an essential component of the antibody molecule, responsible for interacting with immune cells, activating immune responses, and mediating antibody effector functions.
Common Misspellings for FC FRAGMENT
- dc fragment
- cc fragment
- vc fragment
- gc fragment
- tc fragment
- rc fragment
- fx fragment
- fv fragment
- ff fragment
- fd fragment
- fc dragment
- fc cragment
- fc vragment
- fc gragment
- fc tragment
- fc rragment
- fc feagment
- fc fdagment
- fc ffagment
- fc ftagment
Etymology of FC FRAGMENT
The term "Fc fragment" primarily comes from the field of immunology and stands for "Fragment crystallizable".
The "F" in "Fc" refers to "Fragment", indicating a portion or segment of a larger molecule. In this case, it refers to a fragment of an antibody molecule.
The "c" in "Fc" stands for "crystallizable" and refers to the ability of this portion of the antibody molecule to crystallize.
The Fc region is the tail portion of an antibody structure, distinct from the antigen-binding region called the Fab (Fragment antigen-binding) region. The Fc region plays a crucial role in antibody functions, such as binding to immune cells and activating various immune responses.
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