Antigenic determinant

Definition

An antigenic determinant, also known as an epitope, is a specific part of an antigen that is recognized and bound by an antibody or a receptor on the surface of a T cell. It is essentially the "lock" to which the immune system's "key" (the antibody or T cell receptor) specifically binds.

Related terms

Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response when introduced into the body, often part of a harmful pathogen like bacteria or viruses.

Antibody: A protein produced by B cells in response to an antigen, which specifically binds to that antigen's determinants to neutralize or mark it for destruction.

T Cell Receptor:

A molecule found on the surface of T cells that recognizes and binds to specific antigenic determinants presented by other cells, playing a crucial role in the adaptive immune response