First step in agglutination that is rapid and reversible?

First step in agglutination that is rapid and reversible?

• A. Sensitization
• B. Lattice formation
• C. Coagulation
• D. Diffusion

Answer: (A)

In agglutination, the first step is sensitization: antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of the particles. This binding happens quickly and is reversible because antibody–antigen interactions are non-covalent and can dissociate under the right conditions. After sensitization, the next phase is lattice formation, where cross‑linking occurs between coated particles to create a visible network. That step takes longer and is not as readily reversed as the initial binding. Diffusion merely describes the movement bringing molecules together, and coagulation is not part of the standard agglutination sequence.

In agglutination, the first step is sensitization: antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of the particles. This binding happens quickly and is reversible because antibody–antigen interactions are non-covalent and can dissociate under the right conditions. After sensitization, the next phase is lattice formation, where cross‑linking occurs between coated particles to create a visible network. That step takes longer and is not as readily reversed as the initial binding. Diffusion merely describes the movement bringing molecules together, and coagulation is not part of the standard agglutination sequence.