antigen
Pronunciation: [ˈæntɪˌdʒɛn]
Word
Context: “health and medicine”
(noun) a substance that can make your body create a defense against it. Antigens are usually part of germs like bacteria or viruses, and when your body finds them, it tries to fight them off.
Example
The vaccine works by introducing a small amount of antigen to help the body recognize the virus.
Example
There was no antigen present in his blood, which meant he hadn't been exposed to the virus.
Example
What type of antigens are used in the vaccine to protect against the flu?
Context: “biology”
(noun) any substance that can trigger an immune response. This means that when antigens are detected, they alert the body's defenses to start working to keep you safe.
Example
Allergy tests can identify specific antigens that your body reacts to.
Example
He didn’t react to the antigen, which showed he was not allergic to it.
Example
How do different antigens affect our immune responses?
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