agglutinin

Thân thiện

A scientist observes red blood cells clumping together under a microscope due to an agglutinin.

Definition

Noun: * An antibody that causes agustination of a specific antigen: A protein produced by the immune system that binds to specific foreign particles (antigens), such as bacteria or red blood cells, causing them to clump together (agglutinate).

Usage

• This is a technical term used primarily in immunology, medicine, and biology.
• It is used to describe a specific type of antibody with a clumping function.
• It is often modified by the antigen it targets (e.g., anti-A agglutinin).

Examples

• The patient's serum contained a high titer of cold agglutinin, which reacted at lower temperatures.
• Blood typing relies on the reaction between red cell antigens and their corresponding agglutinins.
• The presence of the specific agglutinin confirmed the laboratory diagnosis.

Advanced Usage

• "Cold agglutinin": An antibody that causes red blood cells to clump at temperatures significantly below body temperature, often associated with certain diseases.
• "Agglutinin titer": A measurement of the concentration or strength of agglutinins in a blood sample, often used to monitor the progression of an infection or immune response.

Variants and Related Words

• Agglutinate (verb): To cause particles to clump together.
  • The antibody will agglutinate the bacteria.
• Agglutination (noun): The process or result of clumping.
  • Agglutination was observed in the test tube.
• Anti-agglutinin (noun): A substance that inhibits the action of an agglutinin.

Synonyms

• Clumping antibody (descriptive synonym)
• Specific antibody (broader category)

Related Phrases

• Agglutinin test: A diagnostic procedure that detects the presence of specific agglutinins in a sample.
• To act as an agglutinin: To function by causing clumping.
  • The antibody was found to act as an agglutinin against the pathogen.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an antibody that causes agglutination of a specific antigen