immunoglobulin M

6.3

An antibody found in the blood early in infection that fights germs and helps start longer protection

noun
/ˌɪmjunəˈɡlɒbjuːlɪn ɛm/

Specialized

: inmunoglobulina M

The researchers demonstrated how their new tool works by weighing a molecule called immunoglobulin M (IgM), an antibody produced by immune cells in the blood.

Examples

The team selected a gene that codes for a specific component of an antibody belonging to a class called immunoglobulin M (IgM).
The team, led by Caltech's Michael Roukes, demonstrated how their new tool works by weighing a molecule called immunoglobulin M (IgM), an antibody produced by immune cells in the blood.

Blog text (9)
The researchers demonstrated how their new tool works by weighing a molecule called immunoglobulin M (IgM), an antibody produced by immune cells in the blood.
The team, led by Caltech's Michael Roukes, demonstrated how their new tool works by weighing a molecule called immunoglobulin M (IgM), an antibody produced by immune cells in the blood.

Synonyms

IgM

vsimmunoglobulin M

Specialized

1 7.4

The first antibody the body makes when it has a new infection

is the full written name rather than the shortened form

Surface Forms

immunoglobulin M singular

immunoglobulins M plural

Morphology

immunoglobulin + M

The phrase is compositionally transparent: it names an immunoglobulin (antibody) of class or type 'M', so a learner who knows 'immunoglobulin' and that letters can label subtypes will infer it is a specific kind of antibody. While detailed functional properties of IgM require medical knowledge, the basic meaning 'a type of immunoglobulin called M' is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Immunoglobulin M names one kind of antibody and the M shows its group; picture a large five-part guard that appears quickly in the blood to fight a new infection. So, because it comes early and fights blood infections, high levels of immunoglobulin M usually mean a 'recent infection'.