univalent antibody


u·ni·va·lent an·ti·bod·y

an "incomplete" form of antibody that has a single binding site; in the case of Rh+ erythrocytes, such an anti-Rh antibody may coat the cells but not cause them to agglutinate in saline; however, agglutination does occur when such coated cells are suspended in serum or other protein media, such as albumin, therefore called serum agglutinin. Synonym(s): incomplete antibody (1) , inhibiting antibody

u·ni·va·lent an·ti·body

(yū'ni-vā'lĕnt an'ti-bod-ē) An "incomplete" form of antibody that may coat antigen, but which according to the "lattice theory" does not have a second receptor for attachment to another molecule of antigen; in the case of Rh+ erythrocytes, such an anti-Rh antibody may coat the cells but not cause them to agglutinate in saline; however, agglutination does occur when such coated cells are suspended in serum or other protein media, such as albumin, therefore called serum agglutinin.
Synonym(s): incomplete antibody (1) .