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Where are antigens found?

  1. On the inner surface of cells

  2. On the outer surface of foreign substances

  3. In the blood plasma

  4. Inside the nucleus

The correct answer is: On the outer surface of foreign substances

Antigens are primarily found on the outer surface of foreign substances, such as pathogens (like bacteria and viruses), and are crucial for the immune response. These molecules can be proteins, polysaccharides, or other types of molecules that the immune system recognizes as foreign. When antigens are detected, the immune system can trigger a response to eliminate the invading substances, which is essential for the body's defense mechanisms. This recognition is a vital part of how vaccines work, as they often contain antigens that help train the immune system to respond to actual infections. The other options do not accurately represent where antigens are typically located, making the understanding of their surface presence on foreign substances key to recognizing their role in immunology.