heavy chain

American  

noun

Immunology.

1. either of an identical pair of Y -shaped polypeptides that, together with the light chains, constitute the antibody molecule.

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heavy chain British  

noun

1. immunol a type of polypeptide chain present in an immunoglobulin molecule

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heavy chain Scientific  

/ hĕv′ē /

1. The larger of the two types of polypeptide chains in an immunoglobulin molecule. A heavy chain consists of an antigen-binding portion having a variable amino acid sequence, and a constant region that is different for each class of imunoglobulin. Each heavy chain is one of a Y-shaped identical pair and is attached along its variable region to a smaller light chain.

2. Compare light chain

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Etymology

Origin of heavy chain

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Balancing using a band and exercise ball doing pushups with a heavy chain around the neck isn’t for everyone.

From Seattle Times

He was carrying a makeshift whip with a heavy chain and padlock.

From Seattle Times

He hung a heavy chain across his driveway to keep the teens from riding their bikes up to his door.

From Los Angeles Times

These nanobodies on average are about a tenth of the weight of most human antibodies because when isolated in a lab are “free-floating versions of the tips of the arms of heavy chain proteins,” which make up the backbone of a human antibody, the NIH says.

From Washington Times

One little chimp, kept in neglect and constricted with a heavy chain, immediately reaches for Jenny when she arrives on the scene, as if she knows she's her surrogate parent.

From Salon