What is the significance of the affinity of an antibody for its antigen?

What is the significance of the affinity of an antibody for its antigen?

Step 1: Understand what an antibody is. An antibody is a protein made by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.
Step 2: Know what an antigen is. An antigen is a substance that triggers an immune response, often found on the surface of pathogens.
Step 3: Learn about affinity. Affinity refers to how strongly an antibody binds to its specific antigen.
Step 4: Realize the importance of strong binding. A higher affinity means the antibody can bind more tightly to the antigen, which helps the immune system recognize and eliminate the pathogen more effectively.
Step 5: Understand the immune response. When antibodies bind well to antigens, they can mark the pathogens for destruction or neutralize them directly, leading to a better immune response.

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