Immunology Field Trip Background Information Immunology is the study of the immune system.
Antigens can be viruses, bacteria, proteins or other foreign compounds.
When the immune system works properly, it protects your body against infections. If the immune system malfunctions, it can produce undesirable effects, such as minor allergies, or, occasionally it can result in serious, autoimmune diseases. Commercial antibody production involves injecting the specific antigen into an animal such as mice, rabbits, goats, etc. After several weeks, the animal should be producing antibodies against the antigen and blood is drawn from the animal. The serum containing the antibodies is separated from the blood cells and the specific antibodies are further purified.