HUMORAL ANTIBODY Meaning and
Definition
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Humoral antibody refers to a type of immune response mediated by antibodies, which are protein molecules produced by specialized white blood cells called B cells. This term is often used in the context of humoral immunity, which is one of the two main branches of the adaptive immune system, alongside cell-mediated immunity.
Humoral antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, play a crucial role in defending the body against foreign substances or pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. They are produced in response to the presence of antigens, which are molecules that trigger an immune response.
When an antigen enters the body, it is recognized by B cells, which undergo a series of complex processes leading to the production of specific antibodies. These antibodies bind to the antigens, marking them for destruction by other components of the immune system, such as macrophages or complement proteins. Additionally, antibodies can neutralize viruses or toxins by preventing their attachment to host cells.
The term "humoral" in humoral antibodies stems from the fact that these antibodies are present in bodily fluids, such as blood and lymph, playing a key role in systemic immunity. They circulate throughout the body, disseminating the immune response and providing protection against future infections by the same pathogen.
Overall, humoral antibodies are essential components of the immune system's defense mechanisms, working to eliminate foreign invaders and maintain overall health and well-being.
Common Misspellings for HUMORAL ANTIBODY
- gumoral antibody
- bumoral antibody
- numoral antibody
- jumoral antibody
- uumoral antibody
- yumoral antibody
- hymoral antibody
- hhmoral antibody
- hjmoral antibody
- himoral antibody
- h8moral antibody
- h7moral antibody
- hunoral antibody
- hukoral antibody
- hujoral antibody
- humiral antibody
- humkral antibody
- humlral antibody
- humpral antibody
- hum0ral antibody
Etymology of HUMORAL ANTIBODY
The term "humoral antibody" has its etymology rooted in the field of medical science.
- "Humoral" is derived from the Latin word "humor", which means "fluid". In ancient medical theory, it was believed that the body contained four bodily fluids or humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile), and an imbalance in these humors was thought to cause diseases. The term "humoral" in this context refers to bodily fluids or substances circulating in the body.
- "Antibody" is a combination of the Latin word "anti", meaning "against", and "body". Antibodies are specialized proteins produced by the immune system in response to the presence of foreign substances or antigens. These antibodies help to neutralize or eliminate the antigens, thus protecting the body from infections or diseases.
