What is the primary function of the complement system in immunity?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the primary function of the complement system in immunity?
Antibody production
Pathogen lysis and opsonization
T cell activation
Cytokine release
The complement system enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens from an organism, primarily through opsonization and lysis.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: What is the primary function of the complement system in immunity?
Solution: The complement system enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens from an organism, primarily through opsonization and lysis.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand that the complement system is a part of the immune system.
Step 2: Know that its main job is to help the body fight off infections.
Step 3: Learn that it works with antibodies, which are proteins that identify pathogens.
Step 4: Recognize that the complement system marks pathogens for destruction, a process called opsonization.
Step 5: Understand that it can also directly destroy pathogens by breaking their cell membranes, a process called lysis.
Step 6: Conclude that the complement system makes it easier for the immune system to clear out harmful invaders.
