Antigen
Substance that triggers the immune response.
An antigen is a substance that triggers an immune response in the body. It can be a foreign substance, such as a virus, bacteria, or parasite, or a self-antigen, such as a protein on the surface of a cell that has been altered or modified due to infection or cancer. When an antigen enters the body, it is identified by the immune system as foreign and triggers an immune response. This response involves the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of immune cells, such as B cells and T cells, which produce specific antibodies or cytokines to eliminate the antigen and prevent its future invasion. Antigens can also be used to produce vaccines, which stimulate the immune system to produce a protective immune response in the absence of actual infection.
More Answers:
Cell-Mediated Immunity: The Critical Role of T Cells in Protecting the Body.The Power of Antibodies: Functions, Classes, and Applications in Science and Medicine
Unlocking the Role of Humoral Immunity in Fighting Infections and Developing Vaccination Strategies