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Glite Dictionary
opsonin

opsonin

1 9.9
A substance in the blood that sticks to germs to help white blood cells destroy them
  • noun
  • /ˈɑːpsənɪn/
  • Specialized
: opsonina
  • The presence of opsonin in the serum enhanced the destruction of bacteria by the immune system.

Examples

  • Deficiency in opsonin production can lead to increased susceptibility to certain infections.

  • Scientists measured the level of opsonin to assess the body's response to infection.

  • The opsonin helps the immune system identify pathogens.

  • In the lab, we tested various opsonins for their effectiveness.

  • The injection contained opsonins that improved the body's ability to fight off infections more effectively.

  • In immunology, opsonins play a vital role by marking foreign invaders for destruction by immune cells.

  • Opsonization: the process by which bacteria are altered by opsonins, products of complement activation in blood serum, which makes them more susceptible to phagocytes.

Synonyms

antibody
vsopsonin
  • Specialized
23 3.3

A protein made by the body that helps destroy germs like bacteria and viruses

is a specific serum substance that binds particles to aid phagocyte removal

Surface Forms

opsonin singular
opsonins plural

Morphology

opsonin = opson (opaque) = opson + in

The base element 'opson' is a specialized combining form not recognizable as a standalone English word to average learners, so the relation to the meaning is not clear.

Etymology

Opsonin comes from the Greek root opson meaning 'sauce' or 'food'. A helpful image is to think of an opsonin as a 'sauce' that coats germs to make them 'tasty' for the immune cells that eat them, so it helps the body remove invaders.