Question

which of the following is true regarding opsonization?
multiple choice
it is a membrane attack complex lysing a bacterium by making a hole in its membrane.
it is when complement causes inflammation to occur.
it is when the nine complement factors cascade in order.
it is the coating of a bacterium with antibody to make it more susceptible to phagocytosis.
it is when a hapten binds to an antigen and causes an allergic reaction.

Explanation:

Opsonization is a biological process in immunology. It specifically refers to the coating of a pathogen (like a bacterium) with opsonins (such as antibodies). This coating makes the pathogen more recognizable and thus more susceptible to being engulfed (phagocytosed) by phagocytic cells (e.g., macrophages).

• The first option describes the function of the membrane - attack complex (MAC) which is part of the complement system's lytic pathway (creating pores in the bacterial membrane to lyse the cell), not opsonization.
• The second option is about the complement - induced inflammation, not opsonization.
• The third option is about the complement cascade (the sequential activation of complement factors), not opsonization.
• The fifth option is about hapten - antigen interactions (related to allergic reactions in some cases) and has no relation to opsonization.

Answer:

It is the coating of a bacterium with antibody to make it more susceptible to phagocytosis.