Primary antibody

Definition

A primary antibody is an immunoglobulin that binds specifically to a target antigen, enabling its detection and study. It is the first antibody used in immunoassays like ELISA to detect the presence of an antigen.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Primary antibodies are directly involved in binding to specific antigens.
2. They are essential for the detection of specific proteins in techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA.
3. The specificity of a primary antibody determines the accuracy of antigen detection.
4. Primary antibodies can be monoclonal or polyclonal depending on their source and specificity.
5. Proper selection and validation of primary antibodies are critical for successful experimental outcomes.

Review Questions

Related terms

Secondary Antibody:

An antibody that binds to the primary antibody for detection, often conjugated with a marker enzyme.

Antigen:

A molecule or molecular structure that is recognized by an immune response.

Monoclonal Antibody: An antibody produced by a single clone of cells, highly specific to one epitope.