immunoglobulin

im·mu·no·glob·u·lin  (my-n-glby-ln, -my-)

n. Abbr. Ig

Any of a group of large glycoproteins that are secreted by plasma cells and that function as antibodies in the immune response by binding with specific antigens. There are five classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM.

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immunoglobulin  (my-n-glby-ln, -my-)

See antibody.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

immunoglobulin - a class of proteins produced in lymph tissue in vertebrates and that function as antibodies in the immune response Ig, immune gamma globulin, immune globulin, immune serum globulin gamma globulin, human gamma globulin - a plasma protein containing the immunoglobulins that are responsible for immune responses antibody - any of a large variety of proteins normally present in the body or produced in response to an antigen which it neutralizes, thus producing an immune response IgA, immunoglobulin A - one of the most common of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; the chief antibody in the membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts IgD, immunoglobulin D - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; present in blood serum in small amounts IgE, immunoglobulin E - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; present primarily in the skin and mucous membranes IgG, immunoglobulin G - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; the main antibody defense against bacteria IgM, immunoglobulin M - one of the five major classes of immunoglobulins; involved in fighting blood infections and in triggering production of immunoglobulin G tetanus immune globulin, tetanus immunoglobulin - sterile solution of globulins derived from the blood plasma of a person who has been immunized for tetanus; provides short-term immunization against tetanus in cases of possible exposure to the tetanus bacillus