Question textWhat am I? I am part of the innate immune system and confer some immunity to pathogens. I consist of a series of proteins that bind to the surface of a pathogen. Sometimes I can ‘punch holes’ in the cell wall / membrane of the pathogen to destroy it. Other times I can opsonise the pathogen and recruit phagocytes to destroy the pathogen. I am Answer 1 Question 15[select: , A B cell, A pathogen recognition receptor (PRR), An antibody, The complement system, A pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP)].

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question analysis: The prompt describes a component of the innate immune system composed of a cascade of proteins that can lyse pathogens by forming pores and can also opsonize pathogens to recruit phagocytes. It asks to identify the entity described.
Option awareness: The provided data shows an answer field with 'The complement system' as the correct guess, but the answer options list is empty. Since we cannot see the other candidate choices, we will focus on evaluating the statement itself and explain why the identified term fits the description.
Option: The complement system (correct in this context)
- Why this fits: The complement system consists of a series of plasma proteins that, upon activation, can form the membrane attack complex (MAC) that creates pores in the membranes of target pathogens, leading to lysis. Additionally, complement components (like C3b) opsonize pathogens, marking them for phagocytosis by neutrophils and macrophages. These two main functions align exactly with the description provided—punch holes in the pathogen’s cell wall/membrane and promote phagocytosis via opsonization.
- Conceptual linkage: This fits within innate immunity as a non-specific, immediate defense mechanism that amplifies the immune response through a proteolytic cascade, bridging innate and adaptive responses but acting as a first line of defense.
Why other options (if they were present) would be incorrect in this context:
- If an option named 'B cell' were included: B cells are lymphocytes central to the adaptive immune response, responsible for antibody production, not for directly forming pores in pathogens or performing opsonization as a protein cascade. This would misplace the described mechanism.
- If an option named 'A pathogen recognition receptor (PRR)' were included: PRRs are receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns, triggering signaling cascades, but they are not proteolytic components that form pores or opsonize directly. The description targets a protein system that acts on pathogens, not a receptor itself.
- If an option named 'An antibody' were included: Antibodies (immunoglobulins) participate in opsonization and can activate the complement system, but they do not form pores themselves. The wording emphasizes a series of proteins acting in a cascade, which points to the complement system rather than antibodies alone.
- If an option named 'A pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)' were included: PAMPs are pathogen-derived molecules recognized by the host, not an immune effector system. They do not form pores or mediate direct opsonization.
- If an option named 'The complement system' were not present: Without this option, the described functions would need another component that combines pore formation and opsonization, which is not typical for other innate systems; the complement system uniquely fits both mechanisms.
Summary: The complement system best matches the described functions—forming membrane pores to destroy pathogens and opsonizing them to recruit phagocytes—making it the correct identification for the scenario presented.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The complement system refers to:

Which of the following components of the complement cascade is mismatched with its function?

Question at position 54 How does the alternate pathway of the complement system become activated?Through direct activation of C5 without C3 involvement.By the binding of C1 to antibodies.By C3b diffusing away from the site of infection.Through interactions with foreign materials.

Question at position 47 What is one major function of the complement system?Directly attacking pathogens using a series of protein-mediated reactionsBlocking all cytokine signalingStimulating the production of red blood cellsGenerate memory B-cells

The membrane attack complex consists of the following proteins:

Which complement pathway requires the adaptive arm of the immune response?

The complement system carries out all of the following functions, EXCEPT

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler