Antibody

immune system · body defense · proteins

Tiny Security Guards. Antibodies are huge proteins shaped like a Y that patrol your body looking for invaders like bacteria and viruses. They're made by special immune cells when germs try to attack.

Perfect Recognition. Each antibody is like a custom lock that fits exactly one specific germ's key. The tips of the Y-shape have special spots called paratopes that grab onto matching spots on germs called epitopes.

Tag and Alert. When an antibody finds a germ, it sticks to it like a label saying 'bad guy here.' This tags the invader so other immune cells can zoom in and destroy it, or the antibody itself can neutralize it right away.

Instant Response. Your body can make billions of different antibodies because it's ready for almost any germ imaginable. When you get sick or get a vaccine, your body learns to make the exact antibodies you need for that specific threat.