Final answer:
The correct term for when an antibody binds to a virus and inhibits its ability to infect host cells is known as 'neutralization.' This process involves antibodies coating the virus and blocking it from attaching to cell receptors.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an antibody binds to a virus, the resulting action is most accurately referred to as neutralization. The role of these antibodies is to coat the virus particles, which inhibits the virus's ability to bind to host cell receptors. This prevention of attachment essentially neutralizes the virus, thwarting its ability to infect cells. This effect can also result in the formation of large antibody-virus complexes that are more easily identified and destroyed by phagocytic cells, such as macrophages or neutrophils. Additionally, these neutralized virus particles can ultimately be cleared from the body by filtering through the spleen or elimination via urine or feces.