Basis of differentiation | Antigen | Antibody |
Definition | An antigen is any substance that triggers an immune response in the body | An antibody is a blood protein that is generated against a specific antigen |
Classification | Can either be proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, or lipids | Are glycoproteins |
Effect in body | Can cause either diseases or allergic reactions | Protects the body from antigens by lysing the pathogen or immobilizing the antigen |
Types | The four types are exogenous antigens, autoantigens, neoantigens, and endogenous antigens | The five types include: IgM, IgG, IgE, IgA, and IgD |
Antigen-antibody interaction | Acts as the key | Acts as the lock |
Domain interactions | Interacting domain with the body is known as the epitope | The variable region of the antibody which specifically binds to the epitope is called the paratrope |