Microscopic objects

IgG antibody molecule

An IgG antibody molecule is a Y-shaped protein produced by the immune system to identify and neutralise foreign substances.

Also known as: IgG, immunoglobulin G, antibody

How big is it?

14.5 nm long

Representative maximum molecular span · representative model
Typical recorded range: 13 nm to 16 nm.

Scale illustration of IgG antibody molecule, calibrated to its representative maximum molecular span measurement.
The marked representative maximum molecular span represents 14.5 nm.

A little perspective

Ribosome is about 1.72 times larger on this measurement.

Ribosome: A ribosome is a molecular machine that builds proteins by reading instructions carried by messenger RNA.

Characteristic scale
01
IgG antibody molecule14.5 nmRepresentative maximum molecular span
02
Ribosome25 nmCharacteristic size
Both marked spans share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its proportions; poses and surface detail are illustrative.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +

IgG antibody molecule

A representative immunoglobulin G molecule about 14.5 nm across its maximum projected Y-shaped span. Protein conformation is flexible and the illustration is a molecular surface model, not a hard-edged object.

RCSB Protein Data Bank — Antibody structure

The marked representative maximum molecular span is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

Ribosome

A chosen 25 nm ribosome. Size depends on organism and subunit state.

University of Utah — Cell size and scale

The marked characteristic size is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

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Why this measurement?

Why we use 14.5 nm

For comparison, this page uses representative maximum molecular span. This is labelled representative model: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value. The recorded range is 13 nm to 16 nm.

A representative immunoglobulin G molecule about 14.5 nm across its maximum projected Y-shaped span. Protein conformation is flexible and the illustration is a molecular surface model, not a hard-edged object.

The marked horizontal span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →

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Recorded properties

IgG antibody molecule dimensions and measurements

PropertySelected valueRecorded rangeBasis
14.5 nm13 nm to 16 nmrepresentative model

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Sources and method

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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.

Read the measurement and artwork methodology →

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