Question

How do antibodies assist in the elimination of microbes by phagocytes?

Answer 1

The process through which, antibodies assist in the elimination of microbes by phagocytes, is opsonisation. In this process, antibodies, also called opsonins in this case, bind to the antigens via their Fab fragment, and to the Fc receptors present on the surface of phagocytes, via their Fc fragments. For example, the IgG antibody, binds to various pathogens via its Fab fragment, and to macrophages and neutrophils through thei Fc fragment, thereby facilitating the phagocytosis of the pathogen.