Antigen-antibody reaction
The antigen-antibody reaction is a specific chemical interaction between antibodies produced in B cells of white blood cells and antigens in the immune response process. This is the fundamental response of the body to protecting the body from complex, heterogeneous molecules such as pathogens and their chemical toxins. In the blood, the antigens bind to the antibodies with a clear and high affinity for forming antigen antibody complexes. There are several types of antibodies and antigens, each of which can only bind to a specific antigen. The specificity of the binding is due to the particular chemical structure of each antibody. The antigenic determinant is recognized by the paratope of antibodies located in the region of variability in the polypeptide binding. The variable region has hypervariable regions that are specific amino acid sequences of each antibody. Antigens bind to antibodies through weak non-covalent bonds such as electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.