Discuss the actions of antibodies on foreign antigens: (i) neutralisation. (ii) agglutination. (iii) precipitation. (iv) opsonisation. (v) complement fixation

Actions of Antibodies

11.2

Actions of Antibodies

Actions of Antibodies

Antigens are destroyed by antibodies through several mechanisms.

Agglutination

Antibodies coagulate the pathogens and make them an easy target to be trapped and destroyed by phagocytes.

Neutralisation

Antibodies bind will toxins produced by bacteria and neutralise the toxin.

Precipitation

Antibodies react with dissolved antigens to form an insoluble complex (precipitate) that is easuly destroyed by phagocytes.

Opsonisation

Antibodies combine with antigens and act as a marker for phagocytes to recognise the antigens and destroy them.

Lysis

Antibodies combine with antigens and cause bacteria to be broken down and decomposed.

The image is an infographic illustrating the actions of antibodies. At the center, the text ACTIONS OF ANTIBODIES is written in bold. Surrounding this central text, there are five orange, irregularly shaped boxes connected by arrows. Each box contains a different action of antibodies: PRECIPITATION, NEUTRALISATION, OPSONISATION, AGGLUTINATION, and LYSIS. The background is white with some decorative elements like squiggly lines and loops in blue and orange.

Actions of Antibodies

11.2

Actions of Antibodies

Actions of Antibodies

Antigens are destroyed by antibodies through several mechanisms.

Agglutination

Antibodies coagulate the pathogens and make them an easy target to be trapped and destroyed by phagocytes.

Neutralisation

Antibodies bind will toxins produced by bacteria and neutralise the toxin.

Precipitation

Antibodies react with dissolved antigens to form an insoluble complex (precipitate) that is easuly destroyed by phagocytes.

Opsonisation

Antibodies combine with antigens and act as a marker for phagocytes to recognise the antigens and destroy them.

Lysis

Antibodies combine with antigens and cause bacteria to be broken down and decomposed.

The image is an infographic illustrating the actions of antibodies. At the center, the text ACTIONS OF ANTIBODIES is written in bold. Surrounding this central text, there are five orange, irregularly shaped boxes connected by arrows. Each box contains a different action of antibodies: PRECIPITATION, NEUTRALISATION, OPSONISATION, AGGLUTINATION, and LYSIS. The background is white with some decorative elements like squiggly lines and loops in blue and orange.