State four ways in which antibodies destroy pathogen
1. Neutralization: Antibodies bind to pathogens and prevent them from attaching to host cells or tissues. This prevents the pathogens from invading and causing infection.
2. Opsonization: Antibodies bind to pathogens and coat them, making it easier for phagocytes (such as macrophages) to recognize and engulf them. This enhances the efficiency of phagocytosis and subsequent destruction of the pathogen.
3. Complement activation: Antibodies can activate the complement system, which is a group of proteins that enhance the immune response against pathogens. Complement activation can result in the formation of membrane attack complexes, leading to the lysis of pathogens.
4. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC): Antibodies can recruit and activate immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, to kill pathogens. NK cells recognize and bind to the antibody-coated pathogens, leading to the release of cytotoxic molecules that destroy the pathogen.