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...

Plant biology
Plant Biology

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

Human Nervous System
The Human Nervous System

The nervous system is essentially a biological information highway. This tutorial gives an overview of the nervous syste..

DNA - schematic
Genetic Mutations

This tutorial looks at the mutation at the gene level and the harm it may bring. Learn about single nucleotide polymorph..

Plant meristem
Plant Meristems and Growth

In plants, growth occurs in meristems, which are the site of repeated cell division of unspecialized cells. These cells ..

Lotic community of algal species
Lotic Communities & Algae

Lotic communities have conditions that are rather harsh for typical plants. Thus, the diversity of plant species in loti..

Selective Breeding
Selective Breeding

Gregor Mendel's studies into Monohybrid and Dihybrid crossing and Charles Darwin's study of evolution and natural select..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics