What does 'agglutination' refer to in biological terms?

Agglutination refers to the clumping together of cells, particularly in the context of blood typing or immune responses. This phenomenon occurs when antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of cells, causing them to stick together. In practical terms, agglutination is significant in laboratory settings, such as blood transfusion compatibility testing, where the presence of specific antibodies against blood group antigens can lead to the aggregation of red blood cells. This clumping can impact biological processes and has implications for health care, especially in diagnosing certain diseases and conditions. Thus, understanding agglutination is crucial for those studying health sciences, as it illustrates how the immune system interacts with various cells.