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Glite Dictionary
to opsonize

to opsonize

1 9.9
Mark germs so white blood cells can eat them
  • verb
  • /ˈɑːpsəˌnaɪz/
  • Specialized
: opsonizar
  • Certain proteins in the immune system can opsonize pathogens, aiding in their clearance.

Examples

  • If a cell is opsonized, it will be more rapidly engulfed by macrophages.

  • Antibodies opsonize bacteria to make them easier targets for phagocytes.

  • The antibodies opsonize the bacteria for destruction.

  • How do antibodies opsonize pathogens?

  • The vaccine helps to opsonize the bacteria, making them easier for the immune system to target.

  • When pathogens are opsonized by antibodies, they are more efficiently consumed by immune cells.

  • The immune system uses specific molecules to opsonize foreign particles, marking them for destruction.

Surface Forms

opsonize infinitive
opsonized past
opsonized past participle
opsonizing present participle
opsonizes third person singular

Morphology

opsonize = opsonin (opaque) = opson + ize

The verb is formed with the productive suffix '-ize' from a technical biomedical base ('opsonin' / opson-), which is not a recognizable everyday morpheme for average learners.

Etymology

Opsonize comes from the Greek root opson-, which meant 'food' or 'something tasty', so imagine the immune system 'making something tasty' for the cells that eat invaders. So, to opsonize is to mark a germ or cell so it becomes easier for the body's eating cells to swallow and destroy it.