Immunology - 15

Question 1

What are the functions of complement?

Answer 1

• Destroy invaders

* signal other immune players that war is on

Question 2

Is the complement system slow or rapid?

Answer 2

Rapid

Question 3

Is the complement system part of innate or adaptive immune responses?

Answer 3

Both

Question 4

What is a zymogen?

Answer 4

A protein with enzymatic activity. They have to be cleaved to become active

Question 5

After complement proteins are cleaved, which piece binds in which floats away?

Answer 5

a = floats Away
b = Binds

Except C2: C2a (binds) C2b (floats away)

Question 6

Which are the three pathways of complement activation (and in which order of the activated)?

Answer 6

1st - Alternative
2nd - Lectin
3rd - Classical

Question 7

All three complement activation pathways have the same action on the body, which is?

Answer 7

• Opsonization of pathogen
• perforation of pathogen cell membrane (lysis)
• enhance inflammation by recruiting immune cells

Question 8

How does complement opsonize pathogens?

Answer 8

• It coats pathogens with complement proteins (c3b, c4b) which provide “eat me”signals.
• c3b and c4b act as opsonins
• cells with complement receptors grab the complement coded pathogen

Question 9

Which structure does complement form to lyse pathogens?

Answer 9

The membrane attack complex (MAC)

Question 10

What is another name for the membrane attack complex?

Answer 10

c5b6789

Question 11

What type of pathogens does the MAC kill?

Answer 11

• Gram-negative bacteria
• enveloped viruses
• parasites