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Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
e. Fever is generated by pyrogens that reset the temperature set point of the hypothalamus to a lower value.
21. The Immune System
First-Line Defenses: Chemical Barriers
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Complement proteins work by __________.
A
producing antibodies
B
forming pores in the membranes of target cells
C
phagocytosis of target cells
D
creating an impermeable barrier
E
neutralization of antigens
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of complement proteins in the immune system. Complement proteins are part of the innate immune system and help to enhance the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens from an organism.
Recognize that complement proteins do not produce antibodies. Antibodies are produced by B cells, which are part of the adaptive immune system.
Identify the mechanism by which complement proteins form pores in the membranes of target cells. This process is known as the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC), which leads to cell lysis.
Clarify that complement proteins do not directly perform phagocytosis. Instead, they opsonize pathogens, marking them for phagocytosis by other immune cells.
Understand that complement proteins do not create an impermeable barrier or neutralize antigens directly. Their primary function is to disrupt the membrane integrity of pathogens, leading to their destruction.
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