Definition of antibody Antibody

/æˈntɪbɑˌdi/ - [antibadee] - an•ti•bod•y

We found 5 definitions of antibody from 5 different sources.

What does antibody mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: antibodies
antibody - any of a large variety of proteins normally present in the body or produced in response to an antigen which it neutralizes, thus producing an immune response
		protein any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes; "a diet high in protein"
		active site the part of an enzyme or antibody where the chemical reaction occurs
		autoantibody an antibody acting against tissues of the organism that produces it
		precipitin an antibody that causes precipitation when it unites with its antigen
		abo antibodies blood type antibodies
		rh antibody rhesus factor antibody
		antitoxin an antibody that can neutralize a specific toxin
		agglutinin an antibody that causes agglutination of a specific antigen
		forssman antibody, heterophil antibody, heterophile antibody an antibody found in the blood of someone suffering from infectious mononucleosis
		alloantibody, isoantibody an antibody that occurs naturally against foreign tissues from a person of the same species
		monoclonal, monoclonal antibody any of a class of antibodies produced in the laboratory by a single clone of cells or a cell line and consisting of identical antibody molecules
		opsonin an antibody in blood serum that attaches to invading microorganisms and other antigens to make them more susceptible to the action of phagocytes

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Wiktionary

antibody (Noun)
A protein produced by B- lymphocytes that binds to a specific antigen.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

antibody
A complex protein that is produced in response to the introduction of a specific antigen into an animal. Antibodies belong to a class of proteins called immunoglobins, which are formed by plasma cells in the blood as a defence mechanism against invasion by parasites, notably bacteria and viruses, either by killing them or rendering them harmless.\n(Source: ALL2)

Wikipedia

Antibodies (also called Immunoglobulins (Ig)) are special proteins. They are found in the blood or other body fluids of vertebrates. The immune system uses antibodies to identify foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses. These objects are then neutralized, so that they can no longer cause problems and diseases.

Each antibody is different. They are all designed to attack only one kind of virus or bacteria. For instance, an antibody designed to destroy smallpox are unable to hit the Bubonic plauge or the common cold. An antibody resembles the letter "Y". At the two ends of the "Y" are specially shaped antigens that can only insert themselves in one type of germ. This is needed, because every antibody is different. When the antibody finds the germ it's after, it "knows" because of its special antigen. If the antibody can insert its antigen into the germ, it will go to work either destroying it by blocking it from "germ food" (cells), or calling white blood cells to eat it, thereby killing whatever it was after.

It is the job of the "humoral" section of the immune system to make antibodies.

Antibodies can be found almost anywhere in the blood. If a doctor were to look at one, he or she would call it a globulin, because that is what it is shaped like.

Antibodies are also made by special "B Cells" in the immune system. B cells only attack when their antibodies tell them to. Once alerted, the B cell goes to work, breaking germs down into nothing but harmless goo. In some cases,