The human immune system creates antibodies to identify and destroy foreign particles, such as viruses and bacteria. Antibodies are protein structures that match specific diseases or intruders, and can neutralize or destroy them through three methods. However, antibodies are not perfect and can attack the wrong particles or even healthy cells.
To prevent bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic foreign materials that enter the body from destroying it, the human immune system creates a human antibody to identify the invaders and mount a response to destroy them. Antibody is a type of protein commonly found in the bloodstream that matches a specific disease or intruder, known as a pathogen. When a person becomes ill, the body produces a human antibody to the disease that caused the illness. If the virus returns, the antibody will attach itself to it and the immune system will use this as a signal to destroy all virus particles in the body.
Each human antibody binds to only one specific particle. Whenever the body encounters a new virus or other foreign particle that it considers a threat, the body must create a new antibody that matches that object. The antibody is a protein structure similar to all other antibodies with one exception. The finish of the protein varies slightly to suit the particular disease it is supposed to block.
The end of the protein is referred to as the hypervariable region. There can be millions of different strains, allowing the body to create a human antibody to millions of different foreign particles. This is what makes the body so good at fighting off a variety of diseases.
The invasive particles are known as pathogens, but the actual protein in the particle that activates the antibody is known as an antigen. On that antigen is a section known as the epitope, which is the area that the human antibody specifically recognizes. Once the antibody recognizes and connects with the pathogen, it uses one of three methods to neutralize or destroy the pathogen.
Neutralization, opsonization and complement activation are the three ways to destroy the pathogen. In neutralization, the antibody simply binds to the pathogen and prevents it from doing anything else, thus stopping the virus from spreading and attacking it. Opsonization involves covering the pathogen with a specific coating that instructs the phagocytic cells of the body to destroy the pathogen. Finally, complement activation allows the pathogen to bind to the intruder and then use opsonization to destroy it. Depending on the type of object it encounters, an antibody may be able to destroy the pathogen on its own.
Like any part of the body, the human immune system and antibodies are not perfect. Problems occur when antibodies attack the wrong particles while ignoring the others. For example, some medical treatments can activate the body’s immune system which then tries to destroy helpful drugs that are in the body. In some diseases, the body can attack its own healthy cells, causing damage and health problems. A disease can also do the opposite and prevent the body from attacking the harmful viruses it needs to get rid of.
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