Substance that causes an antibody to form

Substance that causes an antibody to form

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

Answer: (B)

Antigens are substances that trigger antibody production. The immune system recognizes foreign molecules, and the part that elicits this response is an antigen; the specific regions antibodies bind to are epitopes. When B cells encounter an antigen (often with help from T cells in the humoral response), they become plasma cells that secrete antibodies tailored to that antigen. Hormones are signaling molecules, and enzymes are catalysts for chemical reactions—neither directly prompts antibody formation in the general sense.

Antigens are substances that trigger antibody production. The immune system recognizes foreign molecules, and the part that elicits this response is an antigen; the specific regions antibodies bind to are epitopes. When B cells encounter an antigen (often with help from T cells in the humoral response), they become plasma cells that secrete antibodies tailored to that antigen. Hormones are signaling molecules, and enzymes are catalysts for chemical reactions—neither directly prompts antibody formation in the general sense.