Complement System:
The term complement system refers to a group of atleast 20 different plasma proteins that normally circulate in the blood in the blood in an inactive slate These proteins are designated as C1 through C9 and factors B D and P Complement is a major mechanism for destroying foreign substances in the body it enhances both specific and non-specific immunity complement system is activated by two pathways as outlined in the figure the classical pathway require binding of antibodies to the invading organisms and the subsequent binding of the C1 to the antigen antibody complexes (complement fixation) This steps up specific immunity the alternate pathway requires factor B D and P and polysaccharide molecules present on the surface of certain micro-organisms this steps up non -specific immunity the ultimate result of complement activation is increased phagocytosis increased chemotaxis (attracting leucocytes to the place of infection ) and increased release of autacoids
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