the compliment system

Question 1

what stage of the immune response is the complement system involved in

Answer 1

late stage of innate immunity

Question 2

where are compliment system proteins found and what state are they in

Answer 2

low levels of inactive complementary proteins are usually found in extracellular fluid

Question 3

what happens when the complement system is activated

Answer 3

creates a cascade of chemical reactions

Question 4

what does the activation of the complement system promote

Answer 4

opsonisation, direct pathogen killing, acute inflammation, leukocyte recruitment

Question 5

describe the mannose-binding lectin(MBL) pathway

Answer 5

mannose expression is unique to pathogens, activates MBLs which is an acute phase protein involved in complement pathway, converting C3 to C£b and C3a

Question 6

describe role of C3b in complement pathway

Answer 6

it is unstable unless bound to pathogen, when it does it activates downstream complement pathway

Question 7

describe what the alternative pathway is

Answer 7

this is when C3b stimulates more cleavage of C3 into C3b and C3a