The Process:
1. Immunization: Animals, usually horses or sheep, are given small, increasing doses of the venom. This stimulates their immune system to produce antibodies against the venom.
2. Blood Collection: After the animals have developed a high concentration of antibodies, their blood is collected.
3. Antibody Isolation: The blood is processed to isolate the antibodies specific to the snake venom. This process usually involves techniques like precipitation or chromatography.
4. Purification and Formulation: The antibodies are purified and formulated into a usable antivenom, often in a liquid form.
Why Blood and Venom Don't Just Combine:
* Complexity of Venom: Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and other toxins. Mixing it directly with blood would likely lead to a chaotic reaction, not the targeted antibody production needed for antivenom.
* Antibody Specificity: Antivenom works by specifically targeting and neutralizing the toxins in the venom. Antibodies aren't just created randomly – they are developed to bind to specific venom components.
* Immune Response: Injecting a large amount of venom directly into blood without the gradual immunization process would likely overwhelm the animal's immune system and potentially be fatal.
In Summary:
Antivenom production is a carefully controlled process that takes advantage of the natural ability of animals to produce antibodies against foreign substances. While blood and venom are involved, they are not simply mixed together.