What does opsonize mean?

Definitions for opsonize
op·sonize

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word opsonize.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. opsonizeverb

    make (cells) more susceptible to the action of phagocytes

Wiktionary

  1. opsonizeverb

    To make (bacteria or other cells) more susceptible to the action of phagocytes by use of opsonins.

Wikipedia

  1. opsonize

    Opsonins are extracellular proteins that, when bound to substances or cells, induce phagocytes to phagocytose the substances or cells with the opsonins bound. Thus, opsonins act as tags to label things in the body that should be phagocytosed (i.e. eaten) by phagocytes (cells that specialise in phagocytosis, i.e. cellular eating). Different types of things ("targets") can be tagged by opsonins for phagocytosis, including: pathogens (such as bacteria), cancer cells, aged cells, dead or dying cells (such as apoptotic cells), excess synapses, or protein aggregates (such as amyloid plaques). Opsonins help clear pathogens, as well as dead, dying and diseased cells.Opsonins were discovered and named "opsonins" in 1904 by Wright and Douglas, who found that incubating bacteria with blood plasma enabled phagocytes to phagocytose (and thereby destroy) the bacteria. They concluded that: “We have here conclusive proof that the blood fluids modify the bacteria in a manner which renders them a ready prey to the phagocytes. We may speak of this as an “opsonic” effect (opsono - I cater for; I prepare victuals for), and we may employ the term “opsonins” to designate the elements in the blood fluids which produce this effect.”Subsequent research found two main types of opsonin in blood that opsonised bacteria: complement proteins and antibodies. However, there are now known to be at least 50 proteins that act as opsonins for pathogens or other targets.

Matched Categories

How to pronounce opsonize?

How to say opsonize in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of opsonize in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of opsonize in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2


Translations for opsonize

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for opsonize »

Translation

Find a translation for the opsonize definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"opsonize." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 7 May 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/opsonize>.

Discuss these opsonize definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for opsonize? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    opsonize

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    very irritable
    A bristly
    B tantamount
    C repugnant
    D flabby

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for opsonize: