What is the role of antibodies in relation to antigens?

Antibodies play a crucial role in the immune system by specifically recognizing and binding to antigens, which are substances that can provoke an immune response, such as pathogens or foreign molecules. The primary functions of antibodies include neutralization and marking antigens for destruction.

When antibodies bind to antigens, they can neutralize them by blocking their ability to infect cells or by agglutinating (clumping) them together, which makes it easier for immune cells to identify and eliminate them. Additionally, antibodies can also tag antigens for destruction by other components of the immune system, such as phagocytes, which engulf and digest the marked antigens.

The other options describe roles that do not accurately reflect the function of antibodies. Antibodies do not destroy antigens directly without assistance, as this typically requires the engagement of other immune components. They also do not inhibit B cell formation or prevent antigen production; instead, the presence of antigens is what stimulates B cell activation and the subsequent production of antibodies. Thus, the correct understanding of antibodies' role as neutralizers and markers aligns perfectly with their primary function in the immune response.