Antibody:

Antibody is a Y shaped molecule produced by immune system of our body.Present in

blood proteins of plasma cell.Antibodies have four peptide chains.These four peptide
chains are divided into two light chains and two heavy chains.
Heavy chain:
Heavy chain consist of one variable region and three constant region.There are five
types of mammalian Ig heavy chain denoted by Greek letters: α(Alpha), δ(Delta),
ε(Epsilon), γ(Gamma) and μ(Mu).These chains are found in IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and
IgM antibodies, respectively.The molecular weight of heavy chain is approximately
50kDa.
Function of heavy chain:
Heavy chains may contain a transmembrane domain that allows for Ig to be expressed
on the surface of B cells. They allow for antigen-specific binding and subsequent
activation of B lymphocytes. Importantly, antigen binding by the antibody is not
sufficient to induce a cellular activation signal.
Light chain:
Light chain is shorter than heavy chain and is consist of one variable region and one
constant region.Two types of light chain, termed lambda (λ) and kappa (κ), are found
in antibodies.
Function of light chain:
The light chains of antibody ensure the expression and secretion of functional
antibodies and contribute to antigen binding by increasing the variability of
the antibodies.