Antigens

[bucket]

Okay, I know that the immune system recognises non-self because of the the antigens that they display, but I'm not 100% sure on some things:
a) Are antigens found on the membranes of the cells of the foreign bodies? and
b) Does the body's own cells also have 'antigens' which are NOT seen as foreign, and hence are identified as self? Are these antigens called something different?

[BA22]

Yes, Yes and No

Antigens are just proteins or glycoproteins on a cell membrane that can be seen by the immune system. It simply referes t the mechanism of immune response. In the case of anti venoms, the anti venom is an antibody to the antigen (poison/venom). The body learns what is self and non self early on via the clonal abortion thoery, although you don't need to know that