antibody Definition
a protein produced by the body's immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen, such as a bacterium or virus.
Using antibody: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "antibody" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The vaccine works by stimulating the production of antibodies in the body.
Example
Antibodies are used in medical research to detect and identify specific proteins.
Example
The patient's blood test showed high levels of antibodies against the virus.
antibody Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for antibody
Phrases with antibody
an antibody produced by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell
Example
Monoclonal antibodies are used in cancer treatment to target specific cancer cells.
polyclonal antibody
an antibody produced by different immune cells that recognize different epitopes on the same antigen
Example
Polyclonal antibodies are used in medical research to detect multiple proteins in a sample.
a medical test that detects the presence of antibodies in a person's blood or other bodily fluid
Example
An antibody test can determine if a person has been infected with a particular virus in the past.
Origins of antibody
from anti- 'against' + body, coined in German as 'Antikörper'
Summary: antibody in Brief
An 'antibody' [ˈæntiˌbɑdi] is a protein produced by the body's immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen, such as a bacterium or virus. Antibodies are used in medical research to detect and identify specific proteins, and in vaccines to stimulate the production of antibodies in the body. Phrases like 'monoclonal antibody' and 'polyclonal antibody' refer to different types of antibodies produced by immune cells. An 'antibody test' is a medical test that detects the presence of antibodies in a person's blood or other bodily fluid.
