HEMOPRECIPITIN Meaning and
Definition
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Hemoprecipitin is a term used in immunology to describe a specific type of antibody present in the blood that has the capability to cause the precipitation and clumping of red blood cells (RBCs) when mixed with a corresponding specific antigen. This process is known as hemoprecipitation or agglutination.
When an individual is exposed to a foreign antigen, their immune system produces antibodies as a defense mechanism. In the case of hemoprecipitins, these antibodies are able to recognize and bind to specific antigens present on the surface of red blood cells. The binding between the antigen and the hemoprecipitin antibodies results in the formation of immune complexes, leading to the agglutination of RBCs.
Hemoprecipitins are commonly used in blood typing and cross-matching procedures to determine the compatibility between donor and recipient blood samples. This is accomplished by observing the agglutination reaction under specific laboratory conditions. The presence or absence of hemoprecipitins against different blood group antigens helps determine the blood type and identify any potential transfusion reactions that may occur.
Furthermore, the presence of specific hemoprecipitins can also be indicative of certain immune disorders or diseases. Their detection and characterization play a crucial role in diagnosing autoimmune conditions, hemolytic diseases, and other disorders involving abnormal immune responses.
In summary, hemoprecipitin is an antibody that can cause the clumping or precipitation of red blood cells upon interaction with a specific antigen. Its detection and study are vital in blood typing, cross-matching, and the diagnosis of various immune-related conditions.
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A precipitin acting upon the red blood-corpuscles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEMOPRECIPITIN
- hemoprecipiuin
- hemoprecipityn
- hemoprecipitan
- hemoprecipitmn
- hemoprecipithn
- hemoprecipitif
- hemoprecipitil
- hemoprecipitio
- hemoprecipietin
- h emoprecipitin
- he moprecipitin
- hem oprecipitin
- hemopr ecipitin
- hemopre cipitin
- hemoprec ipitin
- hemoprecipi tin
- hemoprecipit in
- hemoprecipiti n
Etymology of HEMOPRECIPITIN
The word "hemoprecipitin" is derived from the combination of two components: "hemo-" and "precipitin".
1. "Hemo-" comes from the Greek word "haima" (aima), which means "blood". This prefix is commonly used in scientific terminology to indicate a connection with blood-related topics.
2. "Precipitin" refers to a type of antibody that can cause the precipitation of antigens from a solution. The term originates from the Latin word "praecipitare", meaning "to throw down" or "to fall". In the context of immunology, precipitins are antibodies that form visible precipitates when they react with their corresponding antigens.
Therefore, the word "hemoprecipitin" can be understood as a compound term combining "hemo-" representing blood and "precipitin" indicating a type of antibody.
