FOREIGN PROTEIN Meaning and
Definition
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A foreign protein, in the context of biology and immunology, refers to any protein molecule that is not naturally produced within an organism or species, but rather originates from an external source or another organism. It is fundamentally differentiated from the proteins endogenously synthesized by an organism's cells. Foreign proteins can be introduced into an organism through various means, such as ingestion, injection, or infection.
When a foreign protein enters an organism, it is perceived as non-self by the immune system, which triggers a complex set of immune responses to eliminate or neutralize the foreign invader. The immune system recognizes foreign proteins through the presence of specific molecules on their surface called antigens. These antigens serve as markers that enable the immune system to differentiate between self and non-self proteins.
The recognition of foreign proteins by the immune system initiates an immune response that aims to protect the organism from potential harm. Immune cells, such as lymphocytes, B-cells, and T-cells, are activated to produce antibodies and attack the foreign proteins. This immune response can vary in intensity and duration, depending on the specific foreign protein and the host's immune system.
Foreign proteins are widely utilized in biomedical research and therapeutic interventions, notably in the development of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. Additionally, the identification and characterization of foreign proteins contribute to understanding the mechanisms of immune responses and immunological disorders.
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One which differs from any contained in the blood, lymph, or tissues of the body.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FOREIGN PROTEIN
- doreign protein
- coreign protein
- voreign protein
- goreign protein
- toreign protein
- roreign protein
- fireign protein
- fkreign protein
- flreign protein
- fpreign protein
- f0reign protein
- f9reign protein
- foeeign protein
- fodeign protein
- fofeign protein
- foteign protein
- fo5eign protein
- fo4eign protein
- forwign protein
- forsign protein
Etymology of FOREIGN PROTEIN
The term "foreign protein" has a straightforward etymology. It combines the word "foreign", derived from Old French "forain" meaning "outside, external", with the word "protein". The word "protein" originates from the French "protéine", coined by Dutch chemist Gerardus Johannes Mulder in 1838, from the Greek word "proteios" meaning "primary" or "first rank". Thus, "foreign protein" refers to a protein that is not native or indigenous to a particular organism or biological system.
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