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Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
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Diversity of Antigen Receptors

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Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
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T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

Published on: August 22, 2018

Individual odor recognition in procellariiform chicks: potential role for the major histocompatibility complex.

Terence W O'Dwyer¹, Gabrielle A Nevitt

¹Section of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA. twodwyer@ucdavis.edu

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

|August 19, 2009

Summary

Petrel chicks can recognize familiar scents near their nest. This olfactory learning may help them identify family and choose mates later in life.

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Area of Science:

Avian olfaction
Sensory biology
Animal behavior

Background:

Adult procellariiform seabirds extensively use olfaction for foraging, navigation, and social interactions.
The olfactory capabilities of petrel chicks remain less understood compared to adults.
Recent research indicates chicks possess olfactory recognition abilities before fledging.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the olfactory abilities of petrel chicks.
To explore the potential functions of odor recognition in petrel chick development.
To examine the role of olfactory learning in petrel chick's future social behaviors.

Main Methods:

Observational studies on petrel chicks in their natural burrow environment.
Olfactory stimulation experiments using various scent cues.
Behavioral analysis of chick responses to different odors.

Main Results:

Petrel chicks demonstrated recognition of prey-related odors.
Chicks could distinguish odors associated with their specific nest environment.
Odor recognition by chicks is unlikely related to homing behaviors.

Conclusions:

Petrel chicks learn and recognize specific odors from their environment before fledging.
This olfactory learning is hypothesized to facilitate kin recognition and mate choice later in life.
The influence of the major histocompatibility complex on procellariiform body odor warrants further investigation.