| description | A glycoprotein produced in membrane-bound or secreted form by B lymphocytes. The basic structural unit of an immunoglobulin (Ig) is composed of two identical covalently linked heavy chains and two identical light chains. Both the heavy chains and light chains contain a series of repeating homologous structural units called Ig domains The N-terminal variable regions of the heavy and light chains form the antigen binding sites, whereas the C-terminal constant regions of the heavy chains interact with other molecules in the immune system. The membrane-bound antibodies serve as receptors that mediate the antigen- triggered activation of B cells. Secreted antibodies function as mediators of specific humoral immunity by engaging various effector mechanisms that serve to eliminate the bound antigen |
Ontology Term --> All ancestors
Ontology Term --> All descendants
Ontology Term --> Direct children
Ontology Term --> Direct parents
