Complement component 3

Complement Component 3 (pronunciation: kuhm-pleh-ment kom-po-nent three) is a protein of the Immune System that plays a crucial role in the Complement System, which enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from an organism, promote inflammation, and attack the pathogen's cell membrane.

Etymology

The term "Complement Component 3" is derived from its role in the Complement System. The word "complement" in this context refers to the action of completing or supplementing something, in this case, the immune response. The "component 3" part of the name refers to its specific role and order in the cascade of reactions that make up the complement system.

Function

Complement Component 3 is a key protein in the complement system. It is involved in the activation of the Complement Pathway, which leads to the destruction of foreign cells. It is also involved in the enhancement of phagocytosis by opsonization, which is the process of marking an antigen for an immune response.

Related Terms

• Complement System
• Immune System
• Complement Pathway
• Opsonization
• Antigen
• Phagocytosis

See Also

• Complement Component 4
• Complement Component 5
• Complement Component 6
• Complement Component 7
• Complement Component 8
• Complement Component 9

This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.