Understanding the Complement System

The video explains the importance of defense mechanisms in living beings, focusing on the Complement System, a crucial part of the immune system. It details how this system, composed of proteins, defends against invaders like bacteria and viruses. The Complement System activates through a cascade effect, crippling enemies and aiding immune cells. Despite its effectiveness, pathogens have adapted to evade it, highlighting the ongoing battle between immune defenses and invaders.

What is one of the key components of the human defense network that is not widely known?

• The Nervous System

• The Endocrine System

• The Digestive System

• The Complement System

How many different proteins make up the Complement System?

• 30

• 20

• 40

• 10

What is the primary role of the C3 protein in the Complement System?

• To deactivate immune cells

• To repair damaged tissues

• To initiate the complement cascade

• To produce antibodies

What happens when C3b finds a target?

• It deactivates the immune response

• It transforms into a virus

• It anchors to the target and initiates a cascade

• It dissolves in water

What is the function of the Membrane Attack Complex?

• To create holes in bacterial membranes

• To produce antibodies

• To repair cell membranes

• To deactivate viruses

How does the Complement System help phagocytes?

• By producing more phagocytes

• By deactivating phagocytes

• By acting as a glue to help catch bacteria

• By making bacteria slippery

Why are viruses particularly vulnerable to the Complement System?

• They are immune to the system

• They are too large to evade it

• They produce proteins that activate the system

• They need to travel between cells and are defenseless outside

What adaptation does the vaccinia virus use to evade the Complement System?

• It produces a protein that activates the system

• It creates safe zones by shutting down complement activation

• It changes its shape to avoid detection

• It multiplies rapidly to overwhelm the system

How do some bacteria avoid detection by the Complement System?

• By grabbing molecules that keep the system calm

• By changing their DNA

• By producing more complement proteins

• By hiding inside immune cells

What is the role of the Complement System in the immune system?

• It is the only player in the immune response

• It is one of many components working together

• It is a minor component with little impact

• It functions independently of other immune responses