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Application of an Antibody

The purpose of the immune system is to find and kill invading pathogens that can be potentially harmful to the body. The immune system is made up of white blood cells that identify and kill invaders through the use of antibodies. When you become ill, it shows that your immune system was unable to fight off bacteria or viruses before they multiplied. Your immune system can become weak for a variety of reasons including stress, exhaustion and disease.

  1. Antibody Creation

    • Antibodies are also referred to as immunoglobulins and are found in the blood. They are produced by white blood cells called B cells. Antibodies are one main defense of the immune system; they identify and sometimes deactivate bacteria and viral cells. As soon as B cells encounter foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses, they begin producing antibodies that go after the invaders.

    Development

    • From the early stages of human growth and development, B cells recognize cells that are normal and present in the body at all times. This prevents the B cells from creating antibodies to fight cells that you are supposed to have in your body. When a B cell recognizes a cell, it treats is as a benign entity.

    Composition

    • Antibodies are made up of four protein chains. The two outer chains are small; the two inner chains are larger in length and width. These chains are held together by covalent bonds, bonds that are held together through negatively charged electrons between atoms.

    Bonding

    • Antigens are molecules that cause the white blood cells to produce antibodies, as they are recognized as foreign invaders. When antibodies locate antigens in the body, they bond to the antigen via paratope. The paratope is the area of the antibody that allows bonding to occur. The paratope of the antibody bonds to a similar structure on the antigen, known as the epitope.

    Disorders

    • Immune disorders can be present at birth or can develop over time for a variety of reasons, such as heredity. Autoimmune disorders cause the white blood cells to produce antibodies which attack self antigens. Self antigens are molecules that are supposed to be present in the body and are recognized by the white blood cells, as good molecules, in bodies with normally functioning immune systems.

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