antibody function

the cross-linking of cellular antigens into large lattices by antibodies is called ___; Ig ___, with its 10 antigen binding sites, is particularly efficient in this mechanism

agglutination; M

antibodies can inactivate antigens in various ways, depending on the nature of the ___.

antigen

___ is the chief ammunition used against cellular antigens such as bacteria and mismatched red blood cells

lyses (complement activation)

the binding of antibodies to sites on bacterial exotoxins or viruses that can cause cells injury is called ___

neutralization

in virtually all these cases the protective mechanism mounted by the antibodies serves to disarm and/or immobilize the antigens until they can be disposed of by ___

phagocytes

when molecules are cross-linked into lattices by antibodies, the mechanism is more properly called ___

precipitation