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Glite Dictionary
immunoglobulin A

immunoglobulin A

1 6.3
An antibody mainly in the linings of the gut and airways that helps protect them from infection
  • noun
  • /ˌɪmjunəˈɡlɒbjuːlɪn eɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : inmunoglobulina A
  • High levels of immunoglobulin A can be beneficial for gut health and immune function.

Examples

  • But did you know that sex releases immunoglobulin A?

  • Researchers have found that immunoglobulin A is essential in safeguarding mucosal surfaces in the body.

  • So there is a lot of immunoglobulin A in the gut mucus.

Synonyms

IgA
vsimmunoglobulin A
  • Specialized
1 7.1

The main antibody protein in the mucus of the nose, throat and gut that fights germs

is the full written name rather than the short label

Surface Forms

immunoglobulin A singular
immunoglobulin As plural

Morphology

immunoglobulin + A

The phrase is compositionally built from 'immunoglobulin' (an antibody) plus the label 'A', so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it denotes a particular class or subtype of antibody. However, the specific functional detail (mainly in mucosal membranes and role in mucosal immunity) and the technical use of 'A' as a subtype label (not the blood-type sense) are domain-specific and not fully predictable for a B1 learner, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Immunoglobulin A comes from joining immuno ('defense'), globulin ('round protein'), and the letter A (a 'type'). These proteins act like little guards on the wet surfaces of the gut and airways, so the name points to proteins that help the body's defense there.