Antigenic properties

Antigenic properties refer to the specific features of a substance, like a virus or bacteria, that allow the immune system to recognize and respond to it. These properties are determined by the unique structures on the pathogen’s surface, called antigens. When the immune system detects these antigens, it can produce targeted responses, such as antibodies, to neutralize or destroy the invader. Variations in antigenic properties help explain why some pathogens change over time, potentially evading previous immunity, which is important for vaccine design and understanding infectious disease dynamics.