There are three pathways of complement system.

1. Classical pathway
2. Alternative pathway
3. The Lectin pathway

Classical Complement pathway: is one of the three pathway which is part of the
immune system. The classical complement pathway is initiated by antigens-antibody
complexes with the antibody isotopes /gG and /gM.

The Alternative pathway: is a type of cascade reaction of the complement system

and is a component of the innate immune system, a natural defence against
infections. The alternative pathway is one of the three complement pathway that
opsonize and kill pathogens.

The Lectin pathway or Lectin Complement pathway is a type of cascade reaction in

the complement pathway in that after activation, it proceeds through the action of C 4
and C2 to produce activated complement proteins further down the cascade.

(B) Complement activation: is a cascading event like the falling of a row of

dominoes. It must follow a specific order if the end result is to be achieved.

Complement activation can divided into four (4) pathway

1. Classical pathway
2. Alternative pathway
3. The Lectin pathway and
4. The Membrane attack (or Lytic) pathway

How is the complement system activated?

Complement is a system at plasma proteins that can be activated directly by

pathogens or indirectly by pathogen-bound antibody, leading to a cascade of
reactions that occurs on the surface of pathogens and generates active components
with various effector function.
(c) The complement fixation test is a blood test in which a sample of serum is
exposed to a particular antigen and complement in order to determine whether or
not antibodies to that particular antigen are present.

The nature of complement is to react in combination with antigen – antibody

complexes.

(D) Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that helps heal damaged tissues and
resolve infections.

Neutrophil blood levels increase naturally in response to infections, injuries and

other types of stress. They may decrease in response to severe or chronic infections,
drug treatments, and genetic conditions.

Neutrophils are type of white blood cell. In fact, most of the white blood cells that
lead the immune system’s response are Neutrophils.