What is an antigen receptor?

Any molecule, which is recognized by the body or does not belong to the body, is called antigen. When the antigen enters the body, it stimulates the immune response of the immune system cells. These cells recognize various antigens using receptors on the surface of their cell membranes. Each cell has a specific antigen receptor, so the cell will only be activated by a specific antigen. Its structure that corresponds to the shape of the antigen to which it is specific. This specificity of the structure that the antigen receptor has is what allows each cell to match only one type of antigen. Each antibody is also specific to a particular antigen. Only if this antigen is in the body will the antibody production stimulate. Antibodies do not have receptors on their cell membranes, but instead have a very specific three -dimensional shape that allows them to bind only to the appropriate antigen. This area is referred to as the binding point of the antigen.

There are two types of lymphocytes for the production and secretion of antibodies, b lymphocytes and t lymphocytes. B lymphocytes, or B cells, are lymphocytes that produce and eliminate antibodies. When B cells mature, a small number of antibodies are produced, but does not turn from the cell. Instead, part of the antibody consists of a receptor of the protein antigen on the surface of the cell membrane. Depending on whether the antigen has been recognized or not, there will be another reaction.

If he first encounters antigen, B cells with an antigen receptor that is specific to antigen begins to produce antibodies, which is a slow process and can take dens and sometimes weeks for production. Some of these activated B cells become plasma cells and some become memory cells. Plasma cells are able to produce and secrete antibodies quickly and in large numbers, but do not live long. On the other hand, memory cells remain in the body for several weeks and sometimes months. If the rejectionu encounter the same antigen, develop into plasma cells and begin to produce antibodies.

As with B cells, there are two types of T lymphocytes involved in an immune response. T auxiliary cells are activated by a specific antigen. When this happens, it releases hormonal molecules that stimulate B cells to produce and eliminate antibodies. When the killer recognizes a specific antigen, they connect to the surface of infected cells and secrete toxic substances to kill cells as well as antigens.