Definition of Antibodies



Antibodies are the protective proteins that are produced in response to some foreign substances that are known as antigens. These proteins are produced by the white blood cells specifically lymphocytes of the immune system. The antibodies have the ability to recognize the antigens and hence remove them from the body.

 


These antigens are regarded as foreign substances because the molecules that are present on their surface are distinct from those that are found in the body. So, in order to eliminate them from the body, the immune system (B lymphocytes) starts the production of the antibodies. When the antigens get bound to these B lymphocytes, it results in the production of identical copies of these cells which further stimulate the secretion of millions of antibodies that kill or disable the machinery of these foreign substances.


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