Word: blobulin
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Caltech biochemists think their discovery proves that immunization is a molecular phenomenon. In the blood stream of animals are large protein molecules called serum blobulin. If a bacterium, virus, venom molecule or other "antigen" is near the point where these molecules are formed, the adaptable molecules change their shape and assume structures complementary to those of the antigen, so that they can combine with them and neutralize them. After the infection has been overcome, these changed protein molecules remain in the blood as antibodies, ready to attack any reappearing enemies. Hence immunity...
...their experiments, the researchers induced serum blobulin molecules 1) to "unfold" their structures by treatment with heat or alkalis in the presence of antigens, 2) then to fold up again. The researchers believe that the antigen influences the molecule to assume a modified structure in the flask, just as it would in the blood stream...