Chapter 5: ELISA and Detection of Diseases

assay

a test to determine the presence or absence of a specific factor

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

assay based on the binding of antibodies to antigens

antigen

any foreign object that induces an immune response

antibody

protein produced by the immune system in response to specific antigens

lymphocytes/ B cells

cells in the bloodstream that respond to the presence of antigens by producing antibodies on their surface

antigen-antibody complex

complex formed when free antibodies find an antigen and bind to its active site and leads to the neutralization of the antigen

macrophage

cell that has receptors that attach to the antigen-antibody complex and then phagocytose/engulf the complex to destroy the antigen

agglutination

clumping caused when large numbers of antibodies bind multiple antigens; changes antigen from soluble to insoluble, neutralizing it

memory B cells

produce antibodies quickly upon recognition of the known antigen; leads to faster immune response

positive

Does a change in color during ELISA indicate a positive or negative result?