Antibodies are special proteins made by the immune system to help protect the body from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses. When the body detects these invaders, it produces antibodies that specifically target and neutralize them, preventing illness. Each antibody is unique and designed to recognize a specific pathogen, much like a key fits into a lock. Once an antibody binds to its target, it can mark the invader for destruction or block its ability to infect cells. This process is crucial for maintaining health and is the basis for how vaccines work, training the immune system to recognize and fight off specific pathogens without causing disease.