Dictionary > Hapten

Hapten

Definition
noun, plural: haptens
A substance that induces immune response when bound to a carrier protein or to large antigenic molecule.
Supplement
Hapten is a type of antigen that elicits production of antibodies only when combined with another antigenic molecule, such as immunogen. It can however react with previously existing antibodies.
A well known example of a hapten is urushiol, which is the toxin found in poison ivy.
Word origin: German : Greek haptein, to fasten + German -en, n. suff. (from Greek -ēnē, -ene).
Variant: haptene

Also called: partial antigen or incomplete antigen
See also: immunogen, antigen.
Related terms:

  • Hapten inhibition of precipitation
  • Forssman hapten


You will also like...

squirrel
Animal Water Regulation

Animals adapt to their environment in aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior. This tutorial will help you understa..

Plant Water Regulation
Plant Water Regulation

Plants need to regulate water in order to stay upright and structurally stable. Find out the different evolutionary adap..

Water Cycle
The Water Cycle

The water cycle (also referred to as the hydrological cycle) is a system of continuous transfer of water from the air, s..

Adaptation Tutorial
Adaptation Tutorial

Adaptation, in biology and ecology, refers to the process or trait through which organisms or the populations in a habit..

Plant biology
Plant Biology

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

Early Earth
The Origins of Life

This tutorial digs into the past to investigate the origins of life. The section is split into geological periods in the..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics