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An "antigen" is a substance that when introduced into the body stimulates the production of an "antibody".
Antigens include toxins, pollen, bacteria, viruses, metals, foreign blood cells and the cells of transplanted organs.
A "disease" is a pathological condition of some part of an organ or living system resulting from various causes.
Diseases include infections, genetic defects, or environmental stresses and are characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.
Thus you can see some diseases are caused by antigens and some diseases that are not caused by antigens.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Colin Amis
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoWhen people think of antigens, they automatically believe it is harmful. Well not on antigens do harm. Some simply enter the body and exit causing no damge to the immune system what so ever. However, other antigens such as the flue or the common cold will harm you and make you sick.
The term antigen originally came from "Antibody Generator", meaning that the immune system responds to an antigen by creating antibodies. Foreign antigens are potentially harmful to the body. However, other antigens are self-antigens which are produced by the body and have no harmful effects.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt depends. An antigen is just something the body is exposed to that causes the immune system to respond. Different people can have different types of responses and can respond to different things.
When antigens enter the body, they cause an immune system reaction, but their presence, before the immune system can create antibodies to disable them, can also cause the symptoms of illness or allergy. An example is: the symptoms of the viral antigens that cause the common cold. A bad thing.
In vaccines, the antigens contained are the agents that cause your body to react to give you the desired immunity by making antibodies and storing them for future use. A good thing.
To help clarify:
Good antigen: weak or dead/inactivated antigens (the virus particles) in flu vaccines cause your body to make antibodies to fight off that virus if you are exposed later to the virus in the environment.
Bad antigen: pollens are antigens that cause allergic reactions in some people.
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Why is it best to test for disease antigens in sudden outbreaks?
It is best to test for disease antigens in sudden outbreaks right away. This is because these disease antigens tell the origin of the outbreak.
What is it called when pathogens invade the body?
Antigens: BUT that is only true if the antigens cause a harmful reaction when they invade.
When your body fights a disease it is battling against?
Answer: Antigens.
How do antigens protect the body from diseases?
Antigens do not protect the body from disease. Antibodies protect the body from many diseases.
What effect do pathogens have on the body?
your body produces antigens to fight against the pathogens and imune you agaist diseases.
Pathogens that enter the body are?
When pathogens enter the body, they begin to cause disease. Path=disease+ gen=to make (or generate).
When the body responds to its own cells as foreign antigens this results in?
Autoimmune Disease
Are antigens and pathogens the same?
Pathogens are the disease causing agent while antigens are found in the antibodies that fight against the pathogens. So in short, no they aren't the same.
What is an anarisum?
blood serum containing antibodies against specific antigens; provides immunity to a disease
What triggers an allergic reaction?
Allergents are antigens that cause an allergic reaction
What are antigens determining blood type carried on?
Antigens, by definition, cause the body to produce antibodies which act against them. You inherit certain antigens which are on your red blood cells. Sometimes these antigens are absent from your RBC. If you are type B, you have B antigens. Type A has A antigens, AB has AB antigens and type O has no antigens. If you are type AB, you can receive AB blood from some one else.
What is the difference between antibodies and antigens?
Antigen is a substance that can induce the generation of antibodies, any substance that can induce immune response. Antibody is a protective protein produced by the body in response to an antigen.
