How Do You Spell COMMON OPSONIN?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒmən ˈɒpsənˌɪn] (IPA)

The term "common opsonin" is often used in immunology to describe proteins that help immune cells identify and target pathogens. Its phonetic transcription, /ˈkɒmən ɒpsənɪn/, shows that the first syllable is pronounced with the short "o" sound, while the second syllable has an unstressed "schwa" sound. The word "opsonin" is spelled with an "o" and not an "a" because it comes from the Greek word "opsōn," meaning "dainty dish," which was used metaphorically to describe the process of coating pathogens with proteins for easier consumption by immune cells.

COMMON OPSONIN Meaning and Definition

1. A common opsonin is a substance or protein that plays a crucial role in the process of phagocytosis, which is the engulfment and destruction of foreign particles or microorganisms by immune cells known as phagocytes. Common opsonins work by enhancing the recognition and uptake of pathogens by phagocytic cells, primarily neutrophils and macrophages.

   The term "common" in common opsonin refers to the fact that it is frequently found in the human body and is involved in the general immune response to a wide range of pathogens. One such common opsonin is the antibody Immunoglobulin G (IgG), which is a type of protein produced by plasma cells in response to the presence of foreign substances.

   The role of common opsonins revolves around making the foreign particles or microorganisms more "palatable" to the phagocytes. They achieve this by binding to the surface of the pathogens, thereby marking them for recognition by receptors present on the phagocyte's surface. The interaction between the opsonin and the phagocyte receptor triggers a series of events that leads to the engulfment and subsequent destruction of the pathogen within the phagocyte.

   The presence of common opsonins facilitates a more efficient and effective immune response, as it allows phagocytes to identify and eliminate pathogens more rapidly. Additionally, the opsonization process helps prevent the spread of infection and enhances the overall effectiveness of the immune system in protecting the body against invading microorganisms.

2. Normal o.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for COMMON OPSONIN

• xommon opsonin
• vommon opsonin
• fommon opsonin
• dommon opsonin
• cimmon opsonin
• ckmmon opsonin
• clmmon opsonin
• cpmmon opsonin
• c0mmon opsonin
• c9mmon opsonin
• conmon opsonin
• cokmon opsonin
• cojmon opsonin
• comnon opsonin
• comkon opsonin
• comjon opsonin
• commin opsonin
• commkn opsonin
• commln opsonin
• commpn opsonin

Etymology of COMMON OPSONIN

The word "common opsonin" is not a term with a specific etymology like other common English words. "Opsonin" itself is derived from the Greek word "opsōn", meaning "food" or "seasoning", which later developed the medical meaning of "something that enhances or aids in digestion". In immunology, opsonins refer to substances that facilitate the process of phagocytosis, assisting in the destruction and removal of bacteria or other foreign particles by immune cells. The term "common opsonin" is simply a descriptive phrase used to refer to opsonins that have a generalized or broad-spectrum effect.

Plural form of COMMON OPSONIN is COMMON OPSONINS