EPITOPES AND HAPTENS Epitope – A single antigenic determinant. Functionally it is the portion of an antigen which combines with the antibody .Antibody binds to a particular part of the antigen called epitope. A particular antigen has different epitopes. Antibodies are specific for the epitope rather than the whole complex
Hapten – A single molecule which act as an epitope but is incapable by itself of eliciting an antibody response. Become Immunogenic only if bound to a protein carrier. Used to produce immune response, production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies
