Antibodies can make it easier for phagocytes to destroy pathogens by causing the pathogens to:

• A. replicate more rapidly
• B. aggregate together (agglutinate)
• C. undergo spontaneous lysis
• D. release toxins

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of antibodies in the immune response: Antibodies are proteins produced by B cells that specifically bind to antigens on pathogens.
2. Recognize that one key function of antibodies is to cause pathogens to clump together, a process called agglutination, which makes it easier for phagocytes to engulf multiple pathogens at once.
3. Eliminate incorrect options by considering their biological plausibility: antibodies do not cause pathogens to replicate more rapidly, undergo spontaneous lysis, or release toxins directly.
4. Recall that agglutination enhances phagocytosis by increasing the size of the target, making it easier for phagocytes to identify and destroy the pathogens.
5. Conclude that the correct mechanism by which antibodies aid phagocytes is by causing pathogens to aggregate together (agglutinate).