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opsonin
opsonin
Noun
pl: opsonins
This term is used exclusively within immunology and biochemistry to describe the molecular "tags" that prepare a pathogen for phagocytosis. It carries a highly technical register and is typically found in medical textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, or clinical discussions regarding the innate immune response.
Because it refers to a specific class of biological molecules, it is used in a precise scientific context to distinguish between the agent that marks the target (the opsonin) and the process of marking (opsonization). It is not used in general conversation or metaphorical contexts.
Meanings
Related Words
opsonizationantibodycomplementphagocytosismacrophageneutrophilleukocyteimmunoglobulinantigenepitopecomplement proteincomplement systemphagocyteimmune responseinnate immunityadaptive immunitypathogenbacteriavirusfungusmicrobereceptorcomplement receptorengulfmentdigestionlysosomephagosomephagolysosomeinflammationchemotaxiscytokineinterleukininterferonserumplasmaproteinglycoproteinlectinclassical pathwaymembrane attack complexlysisclearancehomeostasisantigen presentationadherenceingestionsuperoxideperoxidasemyeloperoxidasegranulevacuoleendocytosispinocytosisapoptosisnecrosisimmunologyhematologybiochemistrymolecular biology