How Do You Spell ANTIGENS?

Pronunciation: [ˈantɪd͡ʒˌɛnz] (IPA)

The word "antigens" is pronounced as /æn.tɪdʒ.ən/. It is a group of molecules present on the surface of cells, viruses, and bacteria that trigger an immune response. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word indicates that "an" is pronounced as /æn/, "ti" as /tɪ/, "dg" as /dʒ/, "en" as /ən/, and the final "s" as /s/. Spelling "antigens" correctly is important in the fields of immunology and medical research as it refers to a vital aspect of the immune system.

ANTIGENS Meaning and Definition

1. Antigens are substances that stimulate an immune response in a living organism, triggering the production of specific antibodies. These substances are usually foreign to the body and can come from various sources such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or even certain types of chemicals. Antigens are typically proteins or polysaccharides located on the surface of these foreign substances.

   When an antigen enters the body, it is recognized as "non-self" by the immune system. This recognition process is mediated by specialized cells called antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages or dendritic cells. APCs engulf and break down the antigen into smaller fragments, presenting them on their cell surface in a complex with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.

   The antigen-MHC complex is then recognized by helper T cells or cytotoxic T cells, triggering an immune response. Helper T cells release chemical signals called cytokines that help activate other immune cells, while cytotoxic T cells directly attack cells displaying the antigen-MHC complex. B cells, another type of immune cell, can also recognize antigens directly and produce specific antibodies that bind to the antigen, marking it for destruction by other immune cells.

   Importantly, antigens possess unique molecular structures, allowing the immune system to distinguish between different foreign substances and mount specific responses. This specificity is the basis for vaccination, where harmless versions of antigens are introduced into the body to train the immune system to recognize and respond to these antigens in case of future infection. Overall, antigens play a crucial role in immune responses and are central to the body's defense against foreign invaders.

Common Misspellings for ANTIGENS

• antikes
• antiqes
• antiguas
• anticnes
• Antiguns
• antiseense
• untidens
• Antiseans
• HDAntigins
• affigens
• Antigina
• Antiguys
• antimeons
• Anticiens
• Attigene
• Antigins

Etymology of ANTIGENS

The word "antigen" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "anti", meaning "against", and "gen", meaning "to produce". The term was first coined in the early 20th century by the German bacteriologist and immunologist Paul Ehrlich to describe substances that induce the production of antibodies in the body.