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Quiz yourself on Adaptive Immunity and AntibodiesGet your flashcardsBuild my revision planTrack my progressAntibodies and How They Work
Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins produced by plasma cells. Each antibody is complementary to one specific antigen — like a key fitting a lock. This makes them highly specific to one pathogen.
What antibodies do:
- Tag pathogens for destruction: Antibodies bind to antigens on a pathogen's surface, marking it so that phagocytes can recognise and engulf it
- Neutralise toxins: Antibodies (called antitoxins when they target toxins) bind to toxins released by bacteria, preventing them from causing harm
- Cause agglutination: Antibodies can clump pathogens together, making them easier for phagocytes to destroy
Key point: Antibodies do NOT directly kill pathogens. They tag or neutralise them — the actual destruction is carried out by phagocytes.
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