Two other aspects of the immune response that can enhance phagocytosis are adherence and opsonization. In order for a phagocyte to accomplish ingestion, adherence must occur. The phagocyte must first adhere to the pathogen's signature carbohydrate. Adherence is probable and more efficient when complement proteins and antibodies coat foreign particles. A process called opsonization (to make tasty) provides "handles" to which the phagocyte receptors can bind.
The adaptive immune response attacks foreign substances and is the body's third line of defense. The adaptive immune response takes considerably more time to mount than the innate immune response.
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