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.

Related

protein · molecular · binding · immune · disulfide · bond · kappa · lambda · epitope · hybridoma · monoclonal · Y-shaped · receptor · glycoprotein · serum · affinity · specificity

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Family

heavy, chain, heavier, heaviest, heavily, heaviness, chains, chained, chaining

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G