Antigens and antibodies play vital but distinct roles in illness and disease. One tries to wreak havoc on our health while the other fights to protect it. Simply put, antigens can make you sick, and antibodies are how your body defends itself against antigens.Antigens, or immunogens, are substances or toxins in your blood that trigger your body to fight them.Antigens are usually bacteria or viruses, but they can be other substances from outside your body that threaten your health.Antibodies are also called immunoglobulins or Ig. They are Y-shaped proteins made by your immune system’s B lymphocytes or B cells. B cells attack and eliminate viruses and other toxins outside the cell. They do this by making specific antibodies for a single type of antigen. These tailored antibodies lock on to their specific antigens and tag them for attack. Antibodies also block these antigens, keeping them away from your healthy cells. Ultimately, antibodies kill these antigens, stopping infection.

Hima Xavier

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