Computer graphics image of lymphocytes (white blood cells) & antibodies ('Y'-shaped objects) in an artery. Antibodies,special blood proteins,are synthesised in lymphoid tissue in response to the presence of a particular antigen (foreign sub- stance). A huge range of antibodies is produced,each with some slight structural difference enabling it to bind to the surface of a different antigen. They thus act as flexible adaptor mole- cules,so that a wide range of infectious agents may be recognised. Here,the arms of the 'Y' shape form the antigen binding portion (Fab),the rest is the Fc portion; this binds to Fc receptors on host tissue cells | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Pasieka, Alfred |
Bildgröße: | 5037 px × 3566 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |