Definition
Antibody is a complex protein (immunoglobulin) produced as a response to a chemical agent (antigen) as a part of a defensive system (immune system) in multicellular animals. The combination of antibody and antigen is specific (albeit not necessarily absolute), non-covalent, and reversible. There are many methodological applications of antibodies, either as a heterogeneous population of immunoglobulins (polyclonal antibodies) or as a homogeneous preparation (monoclonal antibodies). Antibodies show a broad applicability in biotechnology, including the development of affinity biosensors.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Peretó, J. (2014). Antibody. In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_343-2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_343-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics