heavy chain
Larger antibody half
Heavy chain refers to the larger of the two protein chains that make up an antibody molecule.
Each antibody contains two identical heavy chains paired with two lighter chains, forming the Y-shaped structure that binds to foreign substances.
The type of heavy chain determines the antibody's class—IgG, IgM, IgA, and others—each with distinct immune functions.
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
- antibodyProtein targeting foreign substances
- B cellAntibody-secreting immune cell
- antigenImmune response inducer
- class switchingChanging antibody heavy chains
protein · molecular · binding · immune · disulfide · bond · kappa · lambda · epitope · hybridoma · monoclonal · Y-shaped · receptor · glycoprotein · serum · affinity · specificity
- antibodiesantibody, antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies, antibody response
- Myosins
- immunologyimmune system, immune response, antibodies, antigens, immunity
- B Cellsplasma cells