antigen
antigen — noun
- antigensingular
- antigensplural
1. A substance that your body recognises as foreign and that makes the immune syste
A substance that your body recognises as foreign and that makes the immune system produce proteins called antibodies to attack it — for example, a protein on the surface of a virus or bacterium.
The flu vaccine contains a dead antigen that trains the body to fight infection.
Pollen acts as an antigen for Rin, causing her eyes to water every spring.
acts as an antigen
Folami's blood test showed antibodies that matched a new virus antigen.
Dr. Amir explained how the antigen on a germ helps immune cells recognise the threat.
The airport used a rapid antigen test to screen passengers before their flight.
- immunogen
a more technical term for any antigen that reliably provokes an immune response; all immunogens are antigens, but not all antigens are strong immunogens
- allergen
a specific type of antigen that causes an allergic reaction, such as pollen or pet dander
- pathogen
a disease-causing organism (virus, bacterium, etc.) that carries antigens; the pathogen is the whole organism, while the antigen is the specific substance that triggers the immune response
- antibody
the protein produced by the immune system in response to an antigen; antibodies bind to antigens to neutralise them
文法句型
antigen + noun (antigen test / antigen reaction)
adjective + antigen (foreign / viral / surface antigen)
用法筆記
Commonly modified by a noun or adjective that identifies the source: flu antigen, pollen antigen, tumour antigen. Distinguish from antibody — an antigen triggers the response; an antibody is the protein produced to fight the antigen.