Definitions for opsonin
ˈɒp sə nɪnop·sonin

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. opsoninnoun

   an antibody in blood serum that attaches to invading microorganisms and other antigens to make them more susceptible to the action of phagocytes

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. opsoninnoun

   Any antibody that causes an invading species to be more susceptible to phagocytosis

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Opsonin

   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.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. opsonin

   An opsonin is a molecule, typically an antibody or complement, that binds with foreign particles or pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, and promotes their destruction or removal by white blood cells. It enhances the immune system's response to pathogens by making them more recognizable and thus more susceptible to phagocytosis, which is a process in which cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, engulf and destroy the foreign particles.

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Opsonin

   An opsonin, is any molecule that enhances phagocytosis by marking an antigen for an immune response. However, the term is usually used in reference to molecules that act as a binding enhancer for the process of phagocytosis, especially antibodies, which coat the negatively charged molecules on the membrane. Molecules that activate the complement system are also considered opsonins. Phagocytic cells do not have an Fc receptor for IgM, making IgM ineffective in assisting phagocytosis. However, IgM is extremely efficient at activating complement and is, therefore, considered an opsonin. Opsonins can also refer to molecules that target a cell for destruction through the action of natural killer cells.

Matched Categories

1. • Antibody

How to pronounce opsonin?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

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   Mark

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   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

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   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

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   Neerja

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   Zira

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   Oliver

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   South African

How to say opsonin in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of opsonin in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of opsonin in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=opsonin
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Opsonin
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opsonin
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=opsonin