Paratope vs. Epitope

Paratopenoun

(biochemistry) That part of the molecule of an antibody that binds to an antigen

Paratope

A paratope, also known as an antigen-binding site, is the part of an antibody which recognizes and binds to an antigen. It is a small region at the tip of the antibody's antigen-binding fragment and contains parts of the antibody's heavy and light chains.

Epitopenoun

(biochemistry) That part of a biomolecule (such as a protein) that is the target of an immune response

Epitopenoun

the part of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself.

Epitope

An epitope, also known as antigenic determinant, is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells. The epitope is the specific piece of the antigen to which an antibody binds.