Final answer:
The two acute phase proteins discussed are C-reactive protein and mannose-binding protein, which both aid in opsonization, a process that enhances the phagocytosis of pathogens as part of the immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute Phase Proteins and Their Functions
The two acute phase proteins we learned about are C-reactive protein (CRP) and mannose-binding protein. Both of these proteins are involved in the body's immune response to infection. C-reactive protein binds to the polysaccharide components of bacterial cell walls, which helps to opsonize the pathogen, a process that tags the bacteria for destruction by phagocytes such as macrophages. Similarly, mannose-binding protein recognizes specific sugar moieties on the surface of pathogens, aiding in the opsonization and enhancement of phagocytosis.
These proteins are produced in the liver and are not normally present in high quantities but are rapidly made in greater amounts during the innate immune response. This quick increase in production is prompted in part by cytokines, which are signaling molecules that trigger the production of these and other mediators of inflammation.