KAPPA IMMUNOGLOBULINS Meaning and
Definition
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Kappa immunoglobulins, also known as κ immunoglobulins, are a specific class of immunoglobulins or antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that play a crucial role in defending the body against foreign substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Kappa immunoglobulins are a type of antibody that contain the kappa light chain component. Light chains are one of the two types of polypeptide chains that make up the structure of immunoglobulins; the other being heavy chains. Antibodies consist of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains, either kappa or lambda.
The kappa light chain is encoded by the immunoglobulin κ locus on chromosome 2. It plays a critical role in the recognition and binding of antigens, which are foreign molecules that trigger immune responses. The antigen-binding region of kappa immunoglobulins allows them to specifically bind to a unique antigen. This interaction initiates a series of immune responses, leading to the neutralization or elimination of the antigen.
Kappa immunoglobulins are important in the diagnosis and classification of various disorders, including autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancers. Their presence or absence, as well as alterations in their structure or production, can provide valuable information about the functioning of the immune system and the presence of specific diseases.
In summary, kappa immunoglobulins are a specific class of antibodies that contain the kappa light chain, playing a vital role in immune defense and disease diagnosis.
Common Misspellings for KAPPA IMMUNOGLOBULINS
- jappa immunoglobulins
- mappa immunoglobulins
- lappa immunoglobulins
- oappa immunoglobulins
- iappa immunoglobulins
- kzppa immunoglobulins
- ksppa immunoglobulins
- kwppa immunoglobulins
- kqppa immunoglobulins
- kaopa immunoglobulins
- kalpa immunoglobulins
- ka-pa immunoglobulins
- ka0pa immunoglobulins
- kapoa immunoglobulins
- kapla immunoglobulins
- kap-a immunoglobulins
- kap0a immunoglobulins
- kappz immunoglobulins
- kapps immunoglobulins
- kappw immunoglobulins
Etymology of KAPPA IMMUNOGLOBULINS
The word "kappa" in "kappa Immunoglobulins" comes from the Greek letter καππα (kappa), which is the tenth letter of the Greek alphabet. It was adopted to label one of the two types of light chains found in immunoglobulins, a class of proteins that are part of the immune system. The other light chain is called "lambda", which is named after the Greek letter λάμβδα (lambda). The terms "kappa" and "lambda" were introduced to describe the different light chains in immunoglobulins based on their distinct properties and structures.
