Which term denotes a substance that triggers antibody formation?

Which term denotes a substance that triggers antibody formation?

• A. Immunoglobulins
• B. Antibodies
• C. Immunity
• D. Antigens

Answer: (D)

Antigens are substances that provoke the immune system to respond by producing antibodies. They present specific features (epitopes) that B cells and helper T cells recognize, which triggers the production of antibodies aimed at those features. Immunoglobulins (antibodies) are the molecules formed to target antigens, not the triggers themselves. Immunity refers to the state of protection from disease, not to a substance that starts an antibody response. So the term that denotes a substance that triggers antibody formation is antigen.

Antigens are substances that provoke the immune system to respond by producing antibodies. They present specific features (epitopes) that B cells and helper T cells recognize, which triggers the production of antibodies aimed at those features. Immunoglobulins (antibodies) are the molecules formed to target antigens, not the triggers themselves. Immunity refers to the state of protection from disease, not to a substance that starts an antibody response. So the term that denotes a substance that triggers antibody formation is antigen.