opsonin

noun

Meaning

A molecule that binds to a pathogen to enhance phagocytosis by immune cells.

Examples

Antibodies act as a primary opsonin by marking foreign cells for destruction.
The complement system produces proteins that function as an opsonin to clear debris.

Synonyms: tag, marker, mediator, immunoglobulin

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opsonin

noun

Pronunciation: ˈɒpsənɪn

Definition

A molecule that binds to a pathogen to enhance phagocytosis by immune cells.

Examples

Antibodies act as a primary opsonin by marking foreign cells for destruction.
The complement system produces proteins that function as an opsonin to clear debris.
Without the presence of an opsonin, the white blood cell struggled to engulf the resistant bacteria.

Synonyms of opsonin

Words with a similar meaning to opsonin:

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