Exogenous antigen

Definition
noun
Antigen that enters the body of the organism from the outside, e.g. through inhalation, ingestion, or injection.
Supplement
Exogenous antigens include particles considered foreign within the organism. For example, allergens (such as pollen), proteins from transplanted tissues and organs, and parts of microorganisms (such as coat, capsule, cell wall, flagella, fimbria, or toxin of bacteria, viruses, etc.) can serve as antigens.
Word origin: French exogène : Greek exō-, exo– (outside) + French –gène, –gen (yielding, producing) + antigen.
Compare: endogenous antigen

See also: antigen

Freshwater Lentic Communities & Animals

This tutorial looks at some of the communities in freshwater lentic habitats. For instance, symbiosis occurs in a commun..

Circulation

The circulatory system is key to the transport of vital biomolecules and nutrients throughout the body. Learn about the ..

Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri)

Meet the colorful takahē, an extremely rare flightless bird. Find out more about its unique features and why they matte..

Mātauranga Māori and Science

Mātauranga Māori is the living knowledge system of the indigenous people of New Zealand, including the relationships t..

Plant Biology

Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

A Balanced Vitamin Diet – Vitamins A – K

A balanced diet is essential to a healthy organism. Insufficiency or too much of a particular element or compound, such ..