Opsonization is a term that refers to an immune process where particles such as bacteria are targeted for destruction by an immune cell known as a phagocyte. The process of opsonization is a means of identifying the invading particle to the phagocyte. Without the opsonization process the recognition and destruction of invading agents such as bacteria would be inefficient.

The process of opsonization begins when the immune system recognizes a particle (e.g., a bacterium) as an invader. The recognition stimulates the production of antibodies that are specific for the antigenic target. Certain antibody molecules are stimulated to bind to the surface of the particle. Typically, the binding molecules are a type of antibody...