What is agglutination?
the clumping of particulate matter, including bacteria and viruses.
Agglutination is the clumping together of particles or cells due to the binding of specific antibodies to antigens on their surfaces. Antibodies or immunoglobulins are produced by our immune system in response to foreign substances or pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When these antibodies encounter their specific antigens, they bind to them and form large aggregates or clumps known as agglutination.
For example, in blood typing, agglutination occurs when two different blood types mix. If the blood type A person’s blood is mixed with blood type B, their antibodies will bind to each other’s antigens and cause the blood cells to clump together, resulting in agglutination. This reaction can be used to identify a person’s blood type and can help in diagnosing certain diseases. Agglutination is also used in medical research and diagnostic tests, such as for detecting bacterial or viral infections or determining compatibility between donors and recipients in organ transplantation.
More Answers:
Unlocking the Power of Agglutination: Its Importance in Blood Typing and Diagnosing Infectious DiseasesAgglutination: The Process of Precipitation of Insoluble Antigens through Cross-Linked Antigen-Antibody Complexes
IgM Immunoglobulin: Role in Agglutination and Primary Immune Response