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An antigen is a molecule that is located on viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and other pathogens. An antigen is very specific to each pathogen. A flu antigen is different from a pneumonia antigen, and an HIV antigen is different from a measles antigen. I like to think of an antigen as a lock, understanding that all locks are different and very specific. The key that fits these antigen locks is called an antibody. Antibodiesare found on certain types of white blood cells that our body produces. Antibody-producing white blood cells are called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes travel around our body and attach antibodies to pathogen antigens. Once an antigen has an antibody attached to it, phagocytes attack the pathogen, engulf it, and kill it. Sometimes the antibody disables the pathogen so that it cannot reproduce or release toxins.

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BYU Course BIOL 049 Lesson 3

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