IMMUNE PRECIPITATES Meaning and
Definition
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Immune Precipitates refer to the visible clumps or aggregates that are formed when antibodies bind to and precipitate specific antigens in a solution. This process is known as immune precipitation, which is a phenomenon occurring during the antigen-antibody reaction.
When an antigen, a foreign substance or a pathogen, enters the body, the immune system activates the production of specific antibodies that recognize and bind to these antigens. The binding of antibodies to the antigens forms immune complexes. When these complexes reach a certain concentration, they can become insoluble in the solution and thus form visible precipitates.
Immune precipitates are commonly studied and used in immunology research and diagnostics. They can be detected through various techniques such as radial immunodiffusion or immunoblotting (Western blot). These techniques often involve the separation of proteins or antigens by size, followed by the addition of antibodies. If specific antigen-antibody binding occurs, it results in the formation of immune precipitates that can be visualized or quantified.
Immune precipitates have significant applications in various fields. In research, they help identify and characterize specific antigens or antibodies, aiding in the diagnosis and understanding of diseases. Clinically, immune precipitation tests are employed to detect the presence of certain antibodies or antigens in patient samples, assisting in the diagnosis of infectious diseases or autoimmune disorders.
In conclusion, immune precipitates are formed when antigens and antibodies react and form insoluble complexes. Their visualization and quantification play a crucial role in immunological research and clinical diagnostics.
Common Misspellings for IMMUNE PRECIPITATES
- ummune precipitates
- jmmune precipitates
- kmmune precipitates
- ommune precipitates
- 9mmune precipitates
- 8mmune precipitates
- inmune precipitates
- ikmune precipitates
- ijmune precipitates
- imnune precipitates
- imkune precipitates
- imjune precipitates
- immyne precipitates
- immhne precipitates
- immjne precipitates
- immine precipitates
- imm8ne precipitates
- imm7ne precipitates
- immube precipitates
- immume precipitates
Etymology of IMMUNE PRECIPITATES
The word "immune precipitates" is a combination of two terms: "immune" and "precipitates".
1. "Immune" is derived from the Latin word "immunis", which means "exempt" or "free from". In the late 19th century, the term "immune" was adopted into English to refer to the state of being resistant to a particular disease or foreign substance due to the immune system's response.
2. "Precipitates" comes from the Latin word "praecipitare", which means "to throw or hurl down". In the context of chemistry, "precipitates" refers to the solid particles that form in a liquid when a chemical reaction occurs.
When combined, "immune precipitates" refers to the solid particles that are formed when antigens (foreign substances) react with antibodies produced by the immune system.
