Final answer:
Neutralization is the process where antibodies prevent pathogens from entering and infecting host cells by blocking their binding sites, leading to the pathogens' removal by the spleen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neutralization is a process by which antibodies block the site(s) on bacteria or viruses that are used to enter a target cell, thereby preventing infection. Antibodies can neutralize pathogens by several mechanisms, including preventing the antigen from binding to its target, tagging a pathogen for destruction by macrophages or neutrophils, or activating the complement cascade. Specifically, antibodies like IgG, IgM, and IgA can bind to epitopes on the surface of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins, and block their attachment to cells, effectively neutralizing them. This action keeps the pathogens from docking on host cells and initiating an infection. The antibody-coated pathogens can then be filtered by the spleen and eliminated from the body.