3D rendering of an antibody
Table of Contents
The previous tutorial investigated the role of white blood cells in phagocytosis. White blood cells are also responsible for antibody formation. Certain antibodies are synthesized in response to the presence of certain antigens
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell capable of producing a specific immune response to unique antigens. Some of these lymphocytes are capable of entrapping antigens on their surface.
When lymphocytes catch these antigens they can then begin to code for unique antibodies, structures that are capable of catching these antigens.
The lymphocytes code for a particular antibody on response to a particular antigen. The antibody that is formed will be capable of catching free antigens, therefore, neutralizing the threat as seen below.
B lymphocytes (B Cells) produce free moving antibodies as above while T lymphocytes (T Cells) produce antibodies on their surface.
When attacked an organism has several means in which it can prepare to defend itself in event of an attack.
All of the information on this and the previous page are common methods of defense in red-blooded animals, the next tutorial investigates the defensive means of plants.
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