Antigens and Antibodies

Hi Everyone, 

        Let us continue our learning process. In this blog, we are going to learn about antigens and antibodies. We have already learned about pathogens.

 

        Well, pathogens are the infectious foreign microbes that cause diseases. The immune system persistently checks for foreign molecules. Once the foreign pathogens attack, the immune response is developed by white blood cells.  These white blood cells can differentiate their own cells and foreign cells by surface molecules. Foreign molecules that activate immune responses are called antigens. The surface of pathogens has different antigens which have different shapes. Moreover, different pathogens have different antigens. 

        White blood cells specifically B-lymphocytes produce antibodies when antigens attack the human body. Antibodies are Y-shaped protein molecules that recognizes specific antigens and bind with them in lock and key manner. These B-lymphocytes eliminate antigens and halt the infection.

Important points:

1. Since the antigens have different shapes, antibodies produced against one particular pathogen won't able to attack other pathogens.

2. Vaccine shots produce immunity by producing Antibodies against a particular pathogens.

Thank you!

References:

• What’s the Difference Between Antigens and Antibodies? (2021, March 4). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/infection/antigen-vs-antibody

Pathogens

Here comes a brief elucidation about pathogens!

        Pathogens are the foreign infectious microbes that make you sick or cause disease. These are microscopic disease-causing agents from outside of our body which can spread from one person to another. Types of pathogens are,

• Virus
• Bacteria
• Parasite
• Fungi

But some of the above are harmless. Examples for beneficial bacteria are soil decomposers and bacteria in digestive system. Pathogens enter our body through nose, ear, mouth, eyes, any cut and any other openings to the body. Pathogens disrupt the normal functioning by using human body as host to replicate and infect others. Our immune system is designed to attack and abolish them. 

Some diseases caused by the pathogens are

• Viral diseases - flu, common cold, hepatitis, AIDS
• Bacterial diseases - Salmonella food poisoning, Strep throat, Tuberculosis
• Fungal diseases - Fungal nail infection, vaginal infections
• Diseases caused by parasites - malaria, intestinal worms

Thank you!

Enzymes

        Enzymes are the biological catalysts (also called biocatalysts) which accelerate the biological processes in living organisms. Enzyme lowers the activation energy of the reaction, hence speed up the reaction. Enzymes are must for the systematic functioning of biological processes such digestion, respiration, muscle activities, nerve function, excretion and few other metabolic activites. 

Enzymes are proteins which made up of one or more aminoacids. They react with the molecule called substrate and convert the substrate into products. Also, enzymes are highly specific in nature. 

Some examples of enzymes in human body are,

• Lactase - converts lactose into glucose and galactose
• Maltase - breaks down maltose into glucose
• Lactate dehydrogenase - converts lactate into pyruvate
• Rennin - converts milk proteins into peptides
• Protease - breaks down protein into amino acids

The enzymes has also got many industrial applications. Some examples are, 

• Amylase and protease - baking
• Rennin - cheese production
• Cellulase, protease, oxidases, amylase and peroxidase - detergent industry

Read more details about enzymes in the following book.

Enzymes

Thank you!