The complement system _____________. (Select all that apply)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The complement system consists of over 30 proteins that work together to help eliminate pathogens, primarily through the formation of a membrane attack complex (MAC) that creates pores in the pathogen's cell membrane, leading to osmotic rupture. It does not have 5 different cascades; instead, it has three pathways (classical, lectin, and alternative) that converge into a final common pathway. The complement system's activity is innate and does not have a memory component, meaning it does not respond stronger with subsequent exposures to the same pathogen, unlike the adaptive immune response.

The Complement System _____________. (Select All That Apply)