h chain

noun Immunology.

1. either of an identical pair of Y-shaped polypeptides that, together with the light chains, constitute the antibody molecule.

noun

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

n.

1. The larger of the two types of polypeptide chains in immunoglobulins, consisting of an antigen-binding portion having a variable amino acid sequence, and a constant region that defines the antibody class.

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. Compare light chain.