opsonize

Thân thiện

A scientist observes how antibodies opsonize bacteria under a microscope.

Definition

Verb: * To make a microorganism or other foreign cell more susceptible to being engulfed and destroyed by phagocytes (a type of white blood cell). This is a biological process where antibodies or complement proteins coat the surface of a pathogen, marking it for destruction by the immune system.

Usage

The verb "opsonize" is used specifically in immunology and microbiology. It describes a key defensive action of the immune system. The target (the cell being coated) is the direct object. * Structure: Antibodies + opsonize + target cells. * Voice: It is most commonly used in the passive voice (are opsonized) because the focus is often on the fate of the pathogen.

Examples

• Specific antibodies bind to the surface of bacteria to opsonize them.
• Once opsonized, the yeast cells were rapidly ingested by macrophages.
• The complement system can opsonize pathogens independently of antibodies.
• Encapsulated bacteria have evolved mechanisms to avoid being opsonized.

Advanced Usage

• Conceptual Use: The term can be used more broadly to describe the principle of marking a target for elimination.
  • In a business analogy, the audit report effectively opsonized the inefficient department, making it a target for restructuring.

Variants and Related Words

• Opsonization (noun): The process or result of opsonizing.
  • Opsonization is a critical step in the immune response.
• Opsonin (noun): The substance (e.g., antibody, complement protein) that carries out opsonization.
  • IgG is a major opsonin in the bloodstream.

Synonyms

• Tag (in a general, non-technical sense)
• Mark (in a general, non-technical sense)
• Sensitize (in a specific immunological context)

Antonyms

• Protect (from phagocytosis)
• Shield (from immune recognition)

Học thuật

Verb

1. make (cells) more susceptible to the action of phagocytes