Words / B2

ANT-eeb-od-ee/ˈæntibɒdi/

An antibody is a protein made by the immune system that binds to a particular antigen: monoclonal antibodies; antibody titre. Antigen is the matching target (this batch); immunoglobulin is the technical class; vaccine trains the system (already in the dictionary). Quote the antibody titre in the lab table, then the units. Mix-up: antibody vs antibiotic (already in the dictionary); anybody; do not write antibody for a vitamin tablet.

Meaning

A protein made by the immune system that binds to a particular antigen.

Examples

• “Quote the antibody titre in the lab table, then the units, not a vaccine slogan.”
• “A monoclonal antibody featured in the treatment case, which is the medicine sense — still name the target antigen.”

Good to know

an antibody; antibody titre / test; monoclonal antibodies. Pair: antigen (this batch). Contrast: antibiotic (already in B1). Trap: anybody. Biology. An immune protein that binds an antigen — quote the titre.

Near in meaning

immunoglobulin, immune protein, Ig

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