heavy chain

noun Immunology.

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

Origin of heavy chain

First recorded in 1960–65

Also called H chain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for h chain

heavy chain

noun

immunol a type of polypeptide chain present in an immunoglobulin molecule

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

h chain in Medicine

heavy chain

[hĕv′ē]

The larger of the two types of polypeptide chains in immunoglobulins, consisting of an antigen-binding portion having a variable amino acid sequence, and a constant region that defines the antibody class.

h chain in Science

heavy chain

[hĕv′ē]

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. Compare light chain.