OPSONIFY Meaning and
Definition
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Opsonify is a verb that describes the process by which a substance is made more easily recognized and engulfed by cells of the immune system. Specifically, it refers to the chemical modification or alteration of molecules, typically pathogens or foreign particles, to enhance their recognition and uptake by phagocytes (cells responsible for engulfing and destroying harmful materials) such as macrophages and neutrophils.
In opsonification, these phagocytes are attracted to the opsonified particles by certain molecules, known as opsonins, that bind to the surface of these particles and act as signals for the immune cells to initiate phagocytosis. Opsonins can include various components, such as antibodies or complement proteins, that bind specifically to the pathogens or foreign particles and facilitate their identification by the immune system. This opsonification process ultimately enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the phagocytic immune response by promoting the rapid recognition and subsequent elimination of these harmful substances.
Opsonification plays a crucial role in the body's defense against infections and other harmful invaders. It helps to mark pathogens or foreign materials for destruction and removal, allowing the immune system to neutralize threats and maintain overall health. Through opsonify, the immune system optimizes its response to ensure a quick and targeted attack against dangerous particles, making it an essential mechanism in the body's immune defense.
Etymology of OPSONIFY
The word "opsonify" is formed from the combination of two root words: "opson" and "ify".
1. The root "opson" comes from the Greek word "opsis", meaning "food" or "delicacy". In the ancient Greek context, "opson" referred to any kind of food, particularly those eaten with bread, gravy, or sauce to enhance the flavor. It was later adapted into Latin as "opsonium" and used in a medical sense to mean a substance added to food to improve its taste.
2. The suffix "-ify" is derived from the Latin "-ificare", which is a combination of "-ficare" (to make) and "-i-" (a connective vowel). It generally means to cause or make something specific.
Conjugate verb Opsonify
CONDITIONAL
I
would opsonify
you
would opsonify
he/she/it
would opsonify
we
would opsonify
they
would opsonify
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be opsonifying
you
would be opsonifying
he/she/it
would be opsonifying
we
would be opsonifying
they
would be opsonifying
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have opsonify
you
would have opsonify
he/she/it
would have opsonify
we
would have opsonify
they
would have opsonify
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been opsonifying
you
would have been opsonifying
he/she/it
would have been opsonifying
we
would have been opsonifying
they
would have been opsonifying
FUTURE
I
will opsonify
you
will opsonify
he/she/it
will opsonify
we
will opsonify
they
will opsonify
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be opsonifying
you
will be opsonifying
he/she/it
will be opsonifying
we
will be opsonifying
they
will be opsonifying
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have opsonified
you
will have opsonified
he/she/it
will have opsonified
we
will have opsonified
they
will have opsonified
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been opsonifying
you
will have been opsonifying
he/she/it
will have been opsonifying
we
will have been opsonifying
they
will have been opsonifying
IMPERATIVE
you
opsonify
we
let´s opsonify
to opsonify
PAST
I
opsonified
you
opsonified
he/she/it
opsonified
we
opsonified
they
opsonified
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was opsonifying
you
were opsonifying
he/she/it
was opsonifying
we
were opsonifying
they
were opsonifying
PAST PARTICIPLE
opsonified
PAST PERFECT
I
had opsonified
you
had opsonified
he/she/it
had opsonified
we
had opsonified
they
had opsonified
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been opsonifying
you
had been opsonifying
he/she/it
had been opsonifying
we
had been opsonifying
they
had been opsonifying
PRESENT
I
opsonify
you
opsonify
he/she/it
opsonifies
we
opsonify
they
opsonify
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am opsonifying
you
are opsonifying
he/she/it
is opsonifying
we
are opsonifying
they
are opsonifying
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
opsonifying
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have opsonified
you
have opsonified
he/she/it
has opsonified
we
have opsonified
they
have opsonified
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been opsonifying
you
have been opsonifying
he/she/it
has been opsonifying
we
have been opsonifying
they
have been opsonifying
