🛡️ Antibodies & Antigens

✅ Answer: (a) Antibodies

📖 What is an Antigen?

Anti = Against
Gen = Generator (produces)

👉 An antigen is any foreign substance (such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins) that enters the body and triggers an immune response.

🛡️ What are Antibodies?

Anti = Against
Body = Protective proteins in the body

👉 Antibodies (Immunoglobulins) are protective proteins produced by B-lymphocytes (plasma cells) in response to an antigen.

They are found in:

• Blood serum
• Tissue fluids
• Body secretions (depending on the antibody type)

Their function is to identify and destroy harmful microorganisms.

🧬 Why are Antibodies Formed?

When an antigen enters the body:

• The immune system recognizes it as foreign.
• B cells produce specific antibodies.
• These antibodies bind to the antigen and help eliminate it.

👉 Therefore, antibodies are formed in response to an antigen.

❌ Why Other Options Are Wrong?

(b) Hormones
❌ Hormones regulate body functions but are not produced in response to antigens.

(c) Enzymes
❌ Enzymes speed up chemical reactions and are not immune substances formed against antigens.

(d) All of the above
❌ Incorrect because only antibodies are specifically produced in response to an antigen.

📌 Disclaimer: For nursing exam preparation only. Antibodies are also called immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD) and play a key role in the body’s immune defense.