A foreign protein recognized by the immune system that triggers antibody production is called a(n):

A foreign protein recognized by the immune system that triggers antibody production is called a(n):

• A. Antigen
• B. Antibody
• C. Toxin
• D. Enzyme

Answer: (A)

A foreign protein that the immune system recognizes and that triggers antibody production is an antigen. Antigens are substances—often proteins or parts of proteins—that the immune system sees as non-self and mounts a response to. This response includes B cells becoming activated and producing antibodies that specifically bind the antigen to help neutralize or eliminate it. Antibodies, on the other hand, are the immune system’s response products—the proteins that bind to antigens. Toxins are harmful substances that can be antigens, but the word used for the thing that triggers antibody production is antigen. Enzymes are catalysts and are not defined by triggering antibody production.

A foreign protein that the immune system recognizes and that triggers antibody production is an antigen. Antigens are substances—often proteins or parts of proteins—that the immune system sees as non-self and mounts a response to. This response includes B cells becoming activated and producing antibodies that specifically bind the antigen to help neutralize or eliminate it.

Antibodies, on the other hand, are the immune system’s response products—the proteins that bind to antigens. Toxins are harmful substances that can be antigens, but the word used for the thing that triggers antibody production is antigen. Enzymes are catalysts and are not defined by triggering antibody production.