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opsonin
[ op-suh-nin ]
noun
- a constituent of normal or immune blood serum that makes invading bacteria more susceptible to the destructive action of the phagocytes.
opsonin
/ ɒpˈsɒnɪk; ˈɒpsənɪn /
noun
- a constituent of blood serum that renders invading bacteria more susceptible to ingestion by phagocytes in the serum
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Derived Forms
- opsonic, adjective
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Other Words From
- opso·noid adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of opsonin1
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Example Sentences
They appear to be more or less specific, a separate opsonin being necessary for phagocytosis of each species of bacteria.
Opsonin is what you butter the disease germs with to make your white blood corpuscles eat them.
The "opsonin," or "relish," is something exuded into or produced in the blood fluid when the attacking microbe arrives.
Wright proposed for these bodies the name opsonin, derived from a Greek word signifying to prepare a meal for.
In the case of diphtheria, the antitoxin appears to be more efficacious than an opsonin.
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