What is the role of antibodies in the humoral immune response?

Antibodies play a crucial role in the humoral immune response primarily by neutralizing pathogens. When a pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium, invades the body, the immune system identifies it as foreign. In response, B cells produce antibodies that specifically bind to antigens on the surface of these pathogens. This binding can neutralize the pathogen's ability to infect cells, mark it for destruction by other immune cells, or prevent it from attaching to host cells. Antibodies also facilitate opsonization, a process where pathogens are coated to enhance their uptake by phagocytes, leading to more efficient clearance from the body.

Overall, the production of antibodies is critical for the effective defense against infections, making this option the correct answer regarding their function in the humoral immune response.