What is complement? How does it work?

What will be an ideal response?


Complement is a group of about 30 different proteins that are found in blood and interstitial fluid of vertebrates. When it binds antigen, it becomes active. Activated complement then activates more in a cascading reaction. Some activated complement gradients attract phagocytes and enhance phagocytosis. Others attack bacterial cell walls and plasma membranes.

Biology & Microbiology

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During a La Niña event, less rain than normal falls in the American West and Southwest. What type of conditions were in effect in the fall of 2007 when California suffered severe wildfires?

1.La Niña 2.Neutral 3.El Niño

Biology & Microbiology

The collagen fibers in bone are secreted by osteoblasts

____________________ Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Biology & Microbiology

Enzymes are named based on the substrate that they bind. This is possible because

- enzymes all have the same shape. - enzymes are used up in the reaction. - an enzyme binds one specific substrate. - enzymes speed up the rate of a reaction. - an enzyme is only associated with one metabolic pathway.

Biology & Microbiology

Which of the following foods would be a good source of fiber?

A. whole-wheat bread B. bran cereal C. peaches D. peanuts E. All of these are good sources of fiber.

Biology & Microbiology