Define Antigens (With Diagram) | Immunology
An antigen (G. anti-against, genos-genus) is such a macromolecules which, upon introduction into the body, stimulates production of antibodies and react specifically with them. The antigenic macromolecules include almost all proteins, most polysaccharides, nucleoproteins, lipoproteins, glycoproteins, and various small bio-chemicals if they are attached to proteins or polypeptides. Antigens are characterized by two essential properties: (i) The ability to cause [...]