What type of substance makes pathogens more susceptible to phagocytosis?

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!

Opsonins are substances that enhance the process of phagocytosis, making pathogens more recognizable and easier to engulf by immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils. They accomplish this by binding to the surface of pathogens and marking them for destruction. This process is often mediated by the complement system or specific antibodies that facilitate the attachment of phagocytic cells to the pathogens, allowing for a more efficient immune response.

When a pathogen is coated with opsonins, phagocytes have receptors that can bind to these substances more readily than to the uncoated pathogen. This increased binding affinity results in a more effective phagocytosis. Opsonization therefore plays a crucial role in the immune system's ability to clear infections efficiently.

In discussing the other options, immunogens refer to substances that can induce an immune response, but they do not specifically enhance phagocytosis. Antigens are components of pathogens that are recognized by the immune system, but being an antigen does not directly increase susceptibility to phagocytosis. Antibodies can act as opsonins, but they are not synonymous. The distinction is that opsonins are specifically designed to enhance phagocytosis, whereas antibodies serve multiple roles in the immune response.

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