2007-02-10 02:15:34 · 2 answers · asked by sparcoseats01 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
An antigen is a chemical substance that induce an immune response, often times but not exclusively a foreign protein. Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system that bind to antigens, making it easier for certain immune cells like macrophages to identify the antigen as foreign, and then to engulf and destroy to antigen.
This is the way vaccinations work. By inducing the formation of antibodies against viral proteins, when that virus invades the body it dramatically accelerates the destruction of the virus.
2007-02-10 02:23:13 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey P 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Antigen--a protein on a foreign substance in your body (virus, bacteria, other people's blood or organs)
Antibody-- a protein your body makes that recognizes specific Antigens and helps your immune system clear the offending substance
2007-02-10 10:23:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋