Spur formation
Definition
In Ouchterlony, a spur is formed when one arc curves beyond another due to an excess of a cross-reacting but non-identical antigen. It indicates partial cross-reactivity rather than species identity.
Related terms
- Antiserum (pl. antisera)
- Blood serum from an animal (typically a rabbit) that has been immunised against the proteins of another species. It contains antibodies that...
- Double immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony)
- A gel-based assay in which both the antigen (test sample) and the antibody (antiserum) diffuse toward each other from separate wells cut...
- Precipitin arc / line
- The visible band of precipitate in an Ouchterlony plate where diffusing antigen and diffusing antibody meet. Its shape and relationship to adjacent...
- Precipitin test
- A species-confirmation test that adds species-specific antiserum to a stain extract; a visible precipitate forms only when the target protein is present....
- Ring precipitin test
- A tube-based precipitin assay in which the antiserum is carefully underloaded beneath the sample; a ring of precipitate at the interface indicates...
Explained in
- Species of Origin: Precipitin and Ouchterlony TestsIn Ouchterlony, a spur is formed when one arc curves beyond another due to an excess of a cross-reacting but non-identical antigen. It indicates partial cross-...