Antibody Functions

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key antibody functions discussed in the lecture notes.

Opsonization

Process in which antibodies coat pathogens, making them easier for phagocytes to recognize and engulf.

Neutralization

Antibodies bind to viruses or toxins, blocking their attachment to host cells or enzymes and preventing infection.

Agglutination

Clumping of pathogens by antibodies, allowing phagocytes to engulf multiple pathogens simultaneously.

Complement Activation

Antibody-triggered complement cascade that results in the lysis (bursting) of the pathogen.

Antitoxin

A specialized antibody that neutralizes bacterial toxins, preventing their harmful effects.