Explore the Difference Between Antigen and Pathogen

The difference between antigen and pathogen is easy to understand:

• An antigen is a substance that triggers the production of antibodies.
• Pathogens are harmful microorganisms that can cause diseases.

As you can see, the two terms are related to one another. In this article, we shall explore more similarities and differences between the two in detail:

Table of Contents

• Difference Between Antigen and Pathogen
• Antigen
• Pathogen

As stated above, antigens are molecules or foreign particles that trigger an immune response and antibody production against them. Their primary role is to elicit the response of the immune system. This, in turn, stimulates the production of antibodies, which are Y-shaped proteins that help fight off the infection. Antigens are usually present in microorganisms. However, other substances such as chemicals, pollens or even autoimmune diseases can produce antibodies in the body.

Pathogens are essentially microorganisms that have the potential to cause diseases. Most pathogens have a biological origin – such as bacteria, protozoans and fungi. Non-living entities such as viruses and prions are also considered pathogens because they cause diseases in their hosts. Each pathogen has a unique antigen that binds to special receptors in the host’s body. This antigen is regarded as a threat by the immune system, and it starts producing antibodies in response.

Read More:

• What are Antigens? – Definition, Properties, Types, Structure
• Explore the Difference Between Antigen and Antibody
• Antibody – Structure, Types And Functions
• Blood Groups | ABO Blood Group & Rh Blood Group Systems

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