ISOPRECIPITIN Meaning and
Definition
-
Isoprecipitin is a term used in immunology to describe a protein molecule that induces the formation of a precipitate when mixed with an antiserum. It is derived from the words "iso" meaning equal or identical, and "precipitin" which refers to an antibody-antigen complex that precipitates out of solution. Isoprecipitins play a crucial role in serological testing and immunological research.
When an antigen is introduced into an organism, the immune system responds by generating specific antibodies that recognize and bind to the antigen, forming immune complexes. Isoprecipitins refer to antigens that possess identical or highly similar regions to the one used to generate the antiserum. Consequently, when the antiserum containing specific antibodies comes into contact with the isoprecipitin, it triggers a reaction resulting in the formation of insoluble precipitates.
The ability to detect isoprecipitins is widely used in immunodiagnosis, particularly in identifying infectious diseases caused by microorganisms with similar antigenic properties or closely related species. By analyzing the formation of precipitates, researchers can determine the presence of specific isoprecipitins in patient samples, aiding in the diagnosis and management of various conditions. Isoprecipitin reactions may be examined using immunodiffusion or immunoelectrophoresis techniques, allowing for the differentiation of antigenic similarities and dissimilarities across different organisms or strains. Through these methodologies, isoprecipitins offer valuable insights into the immune response, pathogen identification, and epidemiological investigations in the field of immunology.
-
A precipitin formed in the blood of an animal treated by injections of serum from another animal of the same species.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ISOPRECIPITIN
- usoprecipitin
- jsoprecipitin
- ksoprecipitin
- osoprecipitin
- 9soprecipitin
- 8soprecipitin
- iaoprecipitin
- izoprecipitin
- ixoprecipitin
- idoprecipitin
- ieoprecipitin
- iwoprecipitin
- isiprecipitin
- iskprecipitin
- islprecipitin
- ispprecipitin
- is0precipitin
- is9precipitin
- isoorecipitin
- isolrecipitin
Etymology of ISOPRECIPITIN
The word "isoprecipitin" is composed of two components: "iso-" and "precipitin".
The prefix "iso-" comes from the Greek word "ísos", meaning "equal" or "the same". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to indicate a compound or organism that is similar or identical in its chemical structure or function.
The term "precipitin" is derived from the word "precipitate", which comes from the Latin "praecipitare", meaning "to throw down" or "to settle". In the context of immunology, a "precipitin" refers to an antibody that causes the precipitation (separation) of a soluble antigenic substance from a solution.
When these two components are combined, "isoprecipitin" refers to an antibody that has equal or similar precipitating properties compared to another substance.
