What is an antigen?

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Multiple Choice

What is an antigen?

Explanation:
An antigen is any substance that the immune system can recognize as foreign and mount a response against. Antigens are usually proteins or polysaccharides on the surface of pathogens, but they can be other molecules as well. The specific part of the antigen that is recognized by an antibody or T-cell receptor is called an epitope. An antibody is the protein produced by B cells that binds specifically to antigens; it’s the immune response component, not the antigen itself. Some very small molecules (haptens) can become antigenic only when attached to a larger carrier. The other options don’t describe what an antigen is: an antibody binds to antigens, ascites is fluid buildup, and VA is unrelated here.

An antigen is any substance that the immune system can recognize as foreign and mount a response against. Antigens are usually proteins or polysaccharides on the surface of pathogens, but they can be other molecules as well. The specific part of the antigen that is recognized by an antibody or T-cell receptor is called an epitope. An antibody is the protein produced by B cells that binds specifically to antigens; it’s the immune response component, not the antigen itself. Some very small molecules (haptens) can become antigenic only when attached to a larger carrier. The other options don’t describe what an antigen is: an antibody binds to antigens, ascites is fluid buildup, and VA is unrelated here.

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