What is the main function of C3b?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

C3b plays a crucial role in the immune system, specifically in the complement cascade, which is a part of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Its main function is opsonization, a process that enhances the ability of phagocytic cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, to recognize and ingest pathogens. When C3b binds to the surface of pathogens, it marks these invaders for destruction by phagocytes, effectively tagging them for elimination.

Opsonization works by facilitating phagocytosis; when phagocytic cells have receptors that recognize C3b, it enables faster and more efficient uptake of the tagged microbes. This is vital in the body's defense against infections, as it enhances the immune response to common pathogens.

While other options like viral neutralization, cytotoxicity, and antigen presentation are other important immune functions, they are not primarily attributed to C3b. Viral neutralization usually involves antibodies that bind to viruses. Cytotoxicity is typically associated with cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells that directly kill infected or malignant cells. Antigen presentation is performed by specialized cells like dendritic cells and macrophages, which display processed antigens to T cells, thus initiating a specific immune response.

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