What are antibiotics and antibodies?

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Answer

Antibiotics are the second line of defense whereas antibodies are the third line defense . antibiotics are given in the body whereas antibodies are produced in the body . antibiotics ex= streptomycin , tetracylin , penicillin . antibodies ex= natural killer cells , macrophage , dendritic cells .

Answer

(1)ANTIBIOTIC=antibiotic is a substance produced by one microorganism that selectively inhibits the growth of another.
(2)ANTIBODIES=antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that are produced by the immune system to help stop foregin substances from harming the body.

Answer

Antibiotics and Antibodies: Explained in Detail

1. Antibiotics:
Antibiotics are a class of drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They work by either killing the bacteria or inhibiting their growth, providing relief from the associated symptoms. Antibiotics can be classified into several categories based on their mechanism of action, chemical structure, and spectrum of activity.

Types of Antibiotics:
- Penicillins: This group includes drugs like amoxicillin and penicillin, which interfere with bacterial cell wall synthesis.
- Cephalosporins: These antibiotics, such as cephalexin and ceftriaxone, also target cell wall synthesis but have a broader spectrum of activity compared to penicillins.
- Macrolides: Drugs like erythromycin and azithromycin inhibit bacterial protein synthesis.
- Tetracyclines: This group includes antibiotics such as doxycycline and minocycline, which interfere with bacterial protein synthesis.
- Fluoroquinolones: Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin target bacterial DNA synthesis.
- Sulfonamides: These drugs, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, inhibit the synthesis of folic acid, an essential component for bacterial growth.

2. Antibodies:
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are Y-shaped proteins produced by the immune system in response to the presence of foreign substances called antigens. They play a crucial role in the immune response by recognizing, binding to, and neutralizing antigens.

Structure and Functions of Antibodies:
- Antibodies consist of two heavy chains and two light chains, forming a Y-shaped structure with two antigen-binding sites.
- Each antigen-binding site has a specific region called the variable region, which recognizes and binds to a unique epitope on the antigen.
- Antibodies can activate various immune responses, such as neutralization, opsonization (enhancing phagocytosis), complement activation, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
- They can also facilitate the clearance of antigens by promoting their aggregation and precipitation.

Antibodies and Immune Response:
- When the body encounters an antigen, specialized immune cells, such as B lymphocytes, produce antibodies that are specific to that antigen.
- Antibodies bind to the antigen, forming an antigen-antibody complex, which helps in the recognition and elimination of the antigen.
- This immune response can be primary (first exposure to the antigen) or secondary (subsequent exposures), with secondary responses being faster and more effective.
- Vaccinations work by stimulating the production of antibodies against specific antigens to provide immunity against future infections.

Conclusion:
Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. On the other hand, antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to recognize and neutralize antigens. Understanding the differences and functions of antibiotics and antibodies is crucial for effective medical treatments and the body's immune response.

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