affinity (redirected from antibody affinity)

affinity

1. similarity in structure, form, etc., between different animals, plants, or languages

2. Chem

a. the tendency for two substances to combine; chemical attraction

b. a measure of the tendency of a chemical reaction to take place expressed in terms of the free energy change.

3. Biology a measure of the degree of interaction between two molecules, such as an antigen and antibody or a hormone and its receptor

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affinity [ə′fin·əd·ē]

(chemistry)

The extent to which a substance or functional group can enter into a chemical reaction with a given agent. Also known as chemical affinity.

(computer science)

A specific relationship between data processing elements that requires one to be used with the other, where a choice might otherwise exist.

(immunology)

The strength of the attractive forces between an antigen and an antibody.