Step 1: Structure of an Antibody Molecule.
An antibody molecule, also known as an immunoglobulin, has a Y-shaped structure consisting of two heavy chains and two light chains. The arms of the Y are the variable regions that bind to antigens, and the stem is the constant region.
- Parts to label:
- Antigen-binding site: Located at the tips of the Y, this region binds specifically to the antigen.
- Heavy chain: The long chains that form the body of the antibody.
- Light chain: The shorter chains that are attached to the heavy chain.
- Constant region: The stem of the Y, which is the same across all antibodies of a particular class.