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.

---

heavy chain British  

noun

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

---

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

---

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 • Sep. 3, 2021

A few weeks later, debt collectors locked the doors with a heavy chain.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2018

Tire marks and old footprints cluttered the road. So Medina found four tractor tires left by an agent on the previous shift and attached them with a heavy chain to the rear bumper of her SUV.

From Washington Post • Oct. 23, 2016

I remember dragging that cold, heavy chain out, and trying to put my hands up but also trying to cover myself at the same time.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2016

Over time her stories lengthened and tangled; they wound around her body like a heavy chain, until she could not hold them up anymore.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill