Immunoglobulin M
Immunoglobulin M
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is one of the several forms of antibody that are produced by the immune system of vertebrates. It is the first antibody to appear in response to initial exposure to an antigen. The pronunciation of Immunoglobulin M is /ˌɪm.juː.nəʊˈɡlɒb.jʊ.lɪn ɛm/.
Etymology
The term "Immunoglobulin" is derived from the Latin immunis meaning "exempt" and the Greek globus meaning "sphere". The "M" in IgM stands for "macroglobulin", as IgM molecules are large compared to other immunoglobulins.
Function
IgM is primarily found in the blood and lymph fluid, where it is the first antibody to be made by the body to fight a new infection. It provides the initial immune response to most infections, while other antibodies are generated later by the immune response.
Structure
IgM is a macromolecule that is composed of five or six units. Each unit is composed of two light chains, and two heavy chains. This structure allows for a high degree of flexibility in binding to antigens.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Immunoglobulin M
- Wikipedia's article - Immunoglobulin M
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