Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that is known to bind to host tissue cells (e.g. mast cells), and it is largely responsible for most hypersensitivity reactions (i.e. allergy) in the body. Some of the symptoms of the allergic reactions mediated by IgE response to the invasion of antigens include anaphylactic shock, hay fever and […]
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Immunology & Immune System
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is an antibody that mainly exist as a pentamer i.e. it consists of five different monomeric units joined together by disulphide bonds and a joining (J) chain (Figure 1). The function of the J chain in the IgM structure is to help in the polymerization of the individual monomeric units that makeup
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Immunology & Immune System
Colostrum is the first secretion of the mammary gland (breast) produced before proper lactation commences in a nursing mother. It is the first breast milk produced from the mammary gland or breast of a woman after giving birth to a baby. It is a major source of passive immunity transferred from mother to the newborn
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody found in serum (as a monomer of about 150,000 Daltons) and in body secretions (as a dimer of about 600,000 Daltons); and it is mainly produced in the body by mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Though it mainly exists as a monomer and dimer (Figure 1) IgA can also
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Immunology & Immune System
Immunoglobulins do not actually kill or eliminate pathogenic microorganisms or antigens from the body. The role of antibodies during an infection is to bind specifically to invading pathogens so that the antigen-antibody complex so formed can be made readily available for other immune system action such as opsonization, phagocytosis, neutralization or complement fixation which ultimately
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Immunology & Immune System
Antibodies are soluble protein molecules produced by the B cells of the immune system in response to a specific antigen. They are antigen recognition molecules; and antibodies generally recognize and bind to specific antigens. The term antibodies is used synonymously with immunoglobulins (Ig). Antibodies are glycoproteins that are produced by B cells (specifically plasma cells)
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Immunology & Immune System
However antigenic a foreign molecule/substance may be, to be immunogenic and qualify to be called an actual antigen to the extent of eliciting the host’s immune system to mount a specific immune response or attack, antigens must meet certain criteria that actually make them eligible immunogens (i.e. B cell and T cell activators). The immune
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Immunology & Immune System
Due to the critical role of microscope in microbiological and other biomedical researchers, it is very important that microscopes (which allow us to see microorganisms distinctly) are cautiously used and preserved in order to ensure their continued usage and value during laboratory undertakings. Microscopes (whether electron or compound light) are required for the visualization of
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Microscopy & Microscope
There abound several numbers of microscopes that can be used by a microscopist to view specimens or samples and microorganisms in the laboratory. The choice of the microscope to be used is usually dependent on the task to be performed by the user and, on the type of specimen or microorganism to be investigated. Normally,
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Microbe Lab, Microscopy & Microscope, Techniques in Microbiology Lab
The microscope has various parts that perform specific function; and it is important that scientists and students acquaint themselves of these components and their functions in order to make optimum use of the equipment (Figure 1). An understanding of the different parts of the microscope is vital for the proper use of the apparatus in
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Techniques in Microbiology Lab, Microbe Lab, Microscopy & Microscope