[Campbell Biology P.1014] Which of the following best distinguishes between neutralization an... | Practice Question

Which of the following best distinguishes between neutralization and opsonization as mechanisms of antibody function?

  • A: Neutralization directly lyses pathogens, while opsonization promotes aggregation.
  • B: Neutralization prevents pathogens or toxins from binding to host cells, whereas opsonization enhances phagocytosis by immune cells.
  • C: Opsonization is specific to viruses, while neutralization targets bacteria.
  • D: Both mechanisms primarily involve antibodies directly engulfing and degrading pathogens.

Explanation

As explained in the text and depicted in Figure 43.20, neutralization involves antibodies binding to the surface of a pathogen like a virus or toxin to prevent it from binding to host cells, thereby rendering it harmless. Opsonization, on the other hand, involves antibodies coating the surface of a pathogen like bacteria , making it more readily recognized and ingested by phagocytic cells such as macrophages and neutrophils.