International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What is another name for an immunoglobulin?

1. Enzyme

2. Antibody

3. Antigen

4. Protein

The correct answer is: Antibody

Immunoglobulins are better known as antibodies, which are specialized proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. They play a crucial role in the body's immune response, binding to antigens (substances that provoke an immune response) and helping to eliminate them from the body. Understanding the nature of immunoglobulins as antibodies elucidates their function within the immune system: they recognize specific antigens and initiate a response that leads to the destruction or inactivation of pathogens. This specificity is vital in distinguishing between different pathogens, which helps the body adapt and respond effectively to various threats. While immunoglobulins are indeed proteins, the term “protein” is quite broad and encompasses many different types of molecules with varied functions in the body. Antigen refers to a substance that induces an immune response and is not synonymous with immunoglobulins, but rather what these antibodies target. An enzyme, although also a type of protein, has a distinct role in catalyzing biochemical reactions, and is not interchangeable with the concept of immunoglobulins. Thus, recognizing the specific role of immunoglobulins as antibodies is key to understanding their importance in the immune system.