What is one of the ways antibodies can immobolize bacteria?

What is one of the ways antibodies can immobolize bacteria?

• A. By blocking the metabolic activity
• B. By coating and preventing movement
• C. By inducing apoptosis in bacteria
• D. By increasing bacterial replication

Answer: (B)

Antibodies immobilize bacteria primarily by coating their surfaces, effectively preventing movement. This action can hinder the bacteria's ability to move toward nutrients and evade immune responses. When antibodies bind to bacteria, they form a complex that presents physical barriers against motility. The process of coating is known as opsonization, which not only aids in immobilization but also enhances phagocytosis, as immune cells are better able to recognize and engulf the bacteria.

Blocking metabolic activity, inducing apoptosis, or increasing replication do not directly describe how antibodies function in immobilizing bacteria. Instead, the primary role of antibodies in this context is to neutralize and prevent the mobility of pathogens, allowing the immune system to target and eliminate them more effectively. This makes the described mechanism a crucial aspect of the immune response.