IgM
IgM
IgM (pronounced /aɪˈdʒiːˈɛm/), or Immunoglobulin M, is one of the several forms of antibody that are produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses.
Etymology
The term "IgM" is derived from the words "Immunoglobulin", which refers to any of the structurally related proteins of the immune system that function as antibodies, and "M", which stands for "macroglobulin", indicating its larger size compared to other immunoglobulins.
Function
IgM is the first antibody to be made by the body to fight a new infection. It provides the initial immune response against new infections before the production of IgG, another type of antibody. IgM is mainly found in the blood and lymph fluid.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response, leading to the production of antibodies such as IgM.
- B cell: A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies including IgM.
- Monomer: IgM antibodies are typically present in a pentameric form, but can also exist as a monomer.
- Serology: The study of serum, including the measurement of IgM antibodies to diagnose infections.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on IgM
- Wikipedia's article - IgM
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