Virginia Online Health and Physical Education 9 (HPE 9) Practice Exam 2026 - Free HPE 9 Practice Questions and Study Guide

Antibodies play a crucial role in the immune system by marking pathogens for destruction. When the immune system detects foreign invaders, such as bacteria or viruses, antibodies bind to these pathogens. This binding can neutralize the pathogen's harmful effects and also signal other immune cells to recognize and eliminate the marked invaders. This process enhances the efficiency of the immune response, allowing the body to clear infections more effectively.

In contrast, while antibodies do assist in the destruction of pathogens, they do not destroy them directly. The process of marking pathogens for destruction involves the cooperation of other elements of the immune system, which actually conduct the killing or elimination of the marked pathogens. The other options, such as recreating pathogens’ DNA or enhancing pathogen mobility, do not accurately reflect the function of antibodies in the immune response. Antibodies do not manipulate the genetic material of pathogens or facilitate their movement; instead, their primary role is in recognizing and tagging these invaders for the immune system to target.