A specialized series of blood proteins whose major role is to disrupt the surface structure of microbes and altered body cells, resulting in their destruction.
A group of plasma proteins that mediate the inflammatory response when activated; complement has three functions: 1) opsonic (enhances phagocytosis by attaching complement component C3b to bacteria), 2) chemotactic and 3) lytic (disrupts membrane and releases contents of a bacterial or host cell) (Lecture: Innate Immunity and Inflammation I, 2/19/02)
A rapidly self-amplifying system of molecules in the body capable, when triggered by the immune system, of killing faulty or foreign cells or bacteria by puncturing their membranes and dissolving their contents.
Group of circulating plasma proteins that plays a major role in an animal's immune response.
Protein system in blood forming an essential part of some antigen-antibody reactions.
Set of molecules in the blood activated by the presence of bacteria, injury or other immune triggers, causing a range of responses associated with starting and maintaining inflammation
A group of proteins that assist other immune defenses. 791
A chemical defense system that kills microorganisms directly, supplements the inflammatory response, and works with, or complements, the immune system. PICTURE
A group of at least 20 blood proteins that cooperate with other defense mechanisms; may amplify the inflammatory response, enhance phagocytosis, or directly lyse pathogens; activated by the onset of the immune response or by surface antigens on microorganisms or other foreign cells.
proteins in the bloodstream that provide first-response immunity
this series of molecules works together to perform many immune system functions. For example, the complement system helps to dissolve and remove immune complexes and to kill foreign cells.
The complement system is a biochemical cascade of the immune system that helps clear pathogens from an organism, and promote healing. It is derived from many small plasma proteins that work together to form the primary end result of cytolysis by disrupting the target cell's plasma membrane.
