Question

Once IgM antibodies have bound to antigens, they are removed by ________.

A) activating the alternate pathway of the complement system
B) opsonizing the antigen, making it more susceptible to phagocytosis
C) enhancing natural killer cell activity
D) binding to mast cells to stimulate secretion of histamine
E) activating the classical pathway of the complement system

Answer 1

IgM antibodies are removed by activating the classical pathway of the complement system.

Step-by-step explanation:

Once IgM antibodies have bound to antigens, they are removed by activating the classical pathway of the complement system. The complement system is an important part of the innate immune defenses that promotes the inflammatory response, recruits phagocytes to the site of infection, enhances phagocytosis by opsonization, and kills bacterial pathogens with the membrane attack complex. IgM and IgG antibodies can activate the complement system by binding to the surface of pathogens, allowing for recruitment and activation of complement proteins.