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Phagocytosis is a mechanism of the innate immune response. Describe three cells who are responsible for phagocytosis and describe what triggers each to respond. Describe how two other aspects of the immune response can enhance phagocytosis. What role do phagocytes play in initiating the adaptive immune response? <Tab/>The innate immune response reduces the workload of the adaptive immune response by preventing entry and spread of microorganisms in the body. The …

…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.