How Do You Spell OPSONIFY?

Pronunciation: [ɒpsˈɒnɪfˌa͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "opsonify" is spelled as /ɒpsənɪfaɪ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "op" with a short "o" sound followed by "s" and "ən". The second syllable "i" has the long "i" sound, and the last syllable "fy" is pronounced as "faɪ". "Opsonify" means to make something more attractive to phagocytic cells, which are the cells that absorb and destroy harmful bacteria and other foreign substances in the body.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
Conjugate verb
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OPSONIFY Meaning and Definition

  1. Opsonify is a verb that describes the process by which a substance is made more easily recognized and engulfed by cells of the immune system. Specifically, it refers to the chemical modification or alteration of molecules, typically pathogens or foreign particles, to enhance their recognition and uptake by phagocytes (cells responsible for engulfing and destroying harmful materials) such as macrophages and neutrophils.

    In opsonification, these phagocytes are attracted to the opsonified particles by certain molecules, known as opsonins, that bind to the surface of these particles and act as signals for the immune cells to initiate phagocytosis. Opsonins can include various components, such as antibodies or complement proteins, that bind specifically to the pathogens or foreign particles and facilitate their identification by the immune system. This opsonification process ultimately enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the phagocytic immune response by promoting the rapid recognition and subsequent elimination of these harmful substances.

    Opsonification plays a crucial role in the body's defense against infections and other harmful invaders. It helps to mark pathogens or foreign materials for destruction and removal, allowing the immune system to neutralize threats and maintain overall health. Through opsonify, the immune system optimizes its response to ensure a quick and targeted attack against dangerous particles, making it an essential mechanism in the body's immune defense.

Etymology of OPSONIFY

The word "opsonify" is formed from the combination of two root words: "opson" and "ify".

1. The root "opson" comes from the Greek word "opsis", meaning "food" or "delicacy". In the ancient Greek context, "opson" referred to any kind of food, particularly those eaten with bread, gravy, or sauce to enhance the flavor. It was later adapted into Latin as "opsonium" and used in a medical sense to mean a substance added to food to improve its taste.

2. The suffix "-ify" is derived from the Latin "-ificare", which is a combination of "-ficare" (to make) and "-i-" (a connective vowel). It generally means to cause or make something specific.

Conjugate verb Opsonify

CONDITIONAL

I would opsonify
you would opsonify
he/she/it would opsonify
we would opsonify
they would opsonify

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be opsonifying
you would be opsonifying
he/she/it would be opsonifying
we would be opsonifying
they would be opsonifying

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have opsonify
you would have opsonify
he/she/it would have opsonify
we would have opsonify
they would have opsonify

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been opsonifying
you would have been opsonifying
he/she/it would have been opsonifying
we would have been opsonifying
they would have been opsonifying

FUTURE

I will opsonify
you will opsonify
he/she/it will opsonify
we will opsonify
they will opsonify

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be opsonifying
you will be opsonifying
he/she/it will be opsonifying
we will be opsonifying
they will be opsonifying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have opsonified
you will have opsonified
he/she/it will have opsonified
we will have opsonified
they will have opsonified

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been opsonifying
you will have been opsonifying
he/she/it will have been opsonifying
we will have been opsonifying
they will have been opsonifying

IMPERATIVE

you opsonify
we let´s opsonify

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to opsonify

PAST

I opsonified
you opsonified
he/she/it opsonified
we opsonified
they opsonified

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was opsonifying
you were opsonifying
he/she/it was opsonifying
we were opsonifying
they were opsonifying

PAST PARTICIPLE

opsonified

PAST PERFECT

I had opsonified
you had opsonified
he/she/it had opsonified
we had opsonified
they had opsonified

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been opsonifying
you had been opsonifying
he/she/it had been opsonifying
we had been opsonifying
they had been opsonifying

PRESENT

I opsonify
you opsonify
he/she/it opsonifies
we opsonify
they opsonify

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am opsonifying
you are opsonifying
he/she/it is opsonifying
we are opsonifying
they are opsonifying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

opsonifying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have opsonified
you have opsonified
he/she/it has opsonified
we have opsonified
they have opsonified

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been opsonifying
you have been opsonifying
he/she/it has been opsonifying
we have been opsonifying
they have been opsonifying