The Terminal Components of the Complement Pathway Assemble to Form

Multiple Choice

The terminal components of the complement pathway assemble to form a membrane attack complex that can induce pathogen lysis and death. Yet, evidence indicates that this feature of complement is less important than the earlier steps that promote pathogen opsonization and induce inflammation. This conclusion is based on:

A) In vitro experiments showing that very few species of bacteria are susceptible to lysis by the membrane attack complex
B) Experiments indicating that only bacteria, but not viruses or fungi, are susceptible to lysis by the membrane attack complex
C) The very low levels of terminal complement components in the serum
D) The fact that other mammalian species lack the terminal components of the complement pathway needed to form the membrane attack complex
E) The limited susceptibility to infections of patients with deficiencies in terminal complement components