ELISA

antibodies

recognize intruder molecules with incredible specificity

antigens

foreign object

epitopes

the section where the antibodies bind specifially

characteristics of antibodies

two short, light chains and two long heavy chains

variable region

the unique tip section on each arm of a y-shaped antibody, representing about 25% of the entire antibody structure

is the variable region different in all antibodies

yes, the region interacts with the epitopes of an antigen through ionic bonds, H bonds, and hydrophobic interactions

constant region

occurs in the bottom 75% of the antibody and is used for recognition by other components of our immune system

what does Elisa stand for, and what it does

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and is used to diagnose diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria

primary bonds to secondary if

antigens are present

what does the secondary antibody contains

enzymes

what did the secondary antibody contain

enzyme horse-radish peroxidase (HRP)

what did the enzyme substrate contain

tetramethyl benzidine (TMB)