B2 noun Formal

antigen

/ˈæntɪdʒən/

An antigen is any substance, such as a toxin, virus, or bacterium, that causes the body's immune system to produce antibodies against it. It is essentially a chemical marker that the body recognizes as foreign or harmful.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

The doctor explained that the antigen in the vaccine would help my body prepare for future infections.

The physician clarified that the substance in the shot triggers the body to prepare for later illnesses.

2

The presence of a specific viral antigen indicates an active infection within the patient.

Finding a particular viral marker shows the patient currently has the disease.

3

Think of an antigen as a 'wanted poster' that tells your immune system who the bad guys are.

Consider this substance a signal that identifies threats to your body's defenses.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
antigen, antigenicity
Adverbio
antigenically
Adjetivo
antigenic
Relacionado
antibody
💡

Truco para recordar

Think of 'Anti-gen' as an 'Antibody Generator'. It is the substance that generates the need for antibodies.

Quiz rápido

The patient tested positive for the viral _______, meaning they are likely currently infected.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: antigen

Ejemplos

1

The doctor explained that the antigen in the vaccine would help my body prepare for future infections.

everyday

The physician clarified that the substance in the shot triggers the body to prepare for later illnesses.

2

The presence of a specific viral antigen indicates an active infection within the patient.

formal

Finding a particular viral marker shows the patient currently has the disease.

3

Think of an antigen as a 'wanted poster' that tells your immune system who the bad guys are.

informal

Consider this substance a signal that identifies threats to your body's defenses.

4

The study focused on the structural characteristics of the surface antigen of the influenza virus.

academic

The research analyzed the physical traits of the outer markers on the flu virus.

5

The pharmaceutical company is investing heavily in the development of new antigen-based diagnostic kits.

business

The drug firm is funding the creation of testing tools that detect specific biological markers.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
antigen, antigenicity
Adverbio
antigenically
Adjetivo
antigenic
Relacionado
antibody

Colocaciones comunes

antigen test a diagnostic procedure to detect viral proteins
surface antigen proteins found on the outer layer of a cell or virus
antigen response the reaction of the immune system to a foreign substance
specific antigen a unique marker belonging to a particular pathogen
antigenic drift the process of small changes in virus genes over time

Frases Comunes

antigen-presenting cell

a cell that displays foreign markers to help the immune system recognize them

rapid antigen test

a quick medical test used to detect the presence of specific proteins

antigen-antibody complex

the molecule formed when an antibody binds to its target

Se confunde a menudo con

antigen vs antibody

An antigen is the 'invader' or trigger, while an antibody is the 'soldier' produced by the body to neutralize it.

antigen vs pathogen

A pathogen is the entire harmful organism (like a germ), whereas an antigen is a specific part of that pathogen.

📝

Notas de uso

The word is primarily used in medical and biological contexts. While it technically refers to any substance that triggers immunity, in general conversation it is most often used regarding diagnostic tests.

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners often use 'antigen' and 'antibody' interchangeably; remember that 'gen' in antigen implies it 'generates' an immune response.

💡

Truco para recordar

Think of 'Anti-gen' as an 'Antibody Generator'. It is the substance that generates the need for antibodies.

📖

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the French 'antigène', a contraction of 'antisérum' and 'gène' (producing).

Patrones gramaticales

Countable noun (plural: antigens) Often used as a noun adjunct (e.g., antigen detection)
🌍

Contexto cultural

The term became widely known by the general public globally during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the prevalence of 'rapid antigen tests'.

Quiz rápido

The patient tested positive for the viral _______, meaning they are likely currently infected.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: antigen

Palabras relacionadas

unknown

A1

A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.

of

A1

A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.

in

A1

A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.

it

A1

A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.

on

A1

A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.

as

A1

A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.

this

A1

Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.

by

A1

A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.

we

A1

The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.

or

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.

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