Question

There are four general ways that antibodies work (to remember: PLAN). Fill in the following:

• P—act as opsonins to destroy pathogens by ___________________
• L—initiate complement activation resulting in ________ of the pathogen
• A—cause _______________________, the clumping of molecules, which enhances phagocytosis
• N—cause _____________________, which prevents toxins and viruses from interacting with body cells

Answer 1

Antibodies work in four general ways: opsonization, complement activation, agglutination, and neutralization.

Step-by-step explanation:

Antibodies play a crucial role in the immune response and can work in four general ways, represented by the acronym PLAN:

1. P: Antibodies act as opsonins by marking pathogens for destruction by phagocytic cells like macrophages or neutrophils. This enhances phagocytosis, preventing the pathogens from infecting cells.
2. L: Antibodies initiate complement activation, which results in the destruction of the pathogen.
3. A: Antibodies can cause agglutination, which is the clumping of molecules. Agglutination enhances phagocytosis by bringing together multiple pathogens in one place.
4. N: Antibodies can cause neutralization by preventing toxins and viruses from interacting with body cells, thus protecting the cells from harm.