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Glite Dictionary
opsonization

opsonization

1 9.9
Proteins stick to germs to help white blood cells eat them
  • noun
  • /ˌɑp.sə.nəˈzeɪ.ʃən/
  • Specialized
: opsonización
  • This observation provided a plausible explanation of protection if antibody-mediated opsonization and consequent premature removal of infected cells are considered to be one of the major mechanisms of protection in malaria.

Examples

  • Infections can be fought more effectively when opsonization occurs, allowing immune cells to quickly identify and remove invaders.

  • Therefore, opsonization of viral particles by normal serum MBP is possible.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The process of opsonization enhances the ability of phagocytes to engulf pathogens more efficiently.

  • Opsonization is a crucial step in the immune response, as it helps white blood cells eliminate harmful bacteria.

Surface Forms

opsonization singular
opsonizations plural
opsonisations plural
opsonisation singular

Morphology

opsonization = opsonize (opaque) = opsonize + ation

The formation is a regular nominalization of a verb, but the root 'opson-'/'opsonize' is a specialized biomedical term unfamiliar to an average B1 learner, so knowing the base does not make the meaning easily predictable.

Etymology

The word opsonization comes from the Greek root opson meaning 'food' or 'seasoning'. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine antibodies 'making food' of a germ — they tag it to make it 'tasty' for immune cells so those cells will find and 'eat' it.