Each immunoglobulin molecule is made up to $4$-polypeptide chains. These are two long chains, called heavy or $H$-chains and two short chains, called light or $L$-chams. The four polypeptide chains are held together to form a $Y$-shaped molecule. The two tips of this$ Y$ shaped molecule bind to the specific antigen in a lock and key fashion. This leads to formation of antigen-antibody complex.