Agglutination

Agglutination (/əˌɡluːtɪˈneɪʃən/) is a process in medical science where particles, such as bacteria, viruses, or other foreign substances, stick together to form a clump. This is often a result of an antigen-antibody reaction.

Etymology

The term 'agglutination' comes from the Latin word 'agglutinare', which means 'to glue together'.

Process

In the context of immunology, agglutination involves the clumping together of cells or particles caused by specific antibodies known as agglutinins. These antibodies bind to the antigen on the surface of the foreign body, causing them to stick together and form a clump. This process is an important part of the body's immune response.

Types

There are several types of agglutination, including:

Hemagglutination: This is the agglutination of red blood cells. It is commonly used in blood typing.
Bacterial agglutination: This occurs when antibodies bind to bacteria, causing them to clump together.
Viral agglutination: This is the clumping of viruses, which can be used to determine the titer of a virus.

Related Terms

Agglutinin: A substance that causes particles to coagulate to form a thickened mass.
Coagulation: The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a clot.
Precipitation: The process of converting a substance in solution into a solid.