The alternative pathway of complement cascade activation begins with ________ binding to the surface of a microbe.
A) C1
B) C3a
C) complement factor B
D) C5a
E) C5b

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The alternative pathway of complement cascade activation begins with complement factor B binding to the surface of a microbe. This binding is facilitated by the presence of activated complement component C3b on the surface of the microbe. The binding of complement factor B to C3b leads to the activation of complement component factor D, which cleaves complement factor B and generates the alternative pathway C3 convertase, C3bBb. This convertase cleaves C3 to generate C3a and C3b, which can then continue the cascade of complement activation.

The Alternative Pathway of Complement Cascade Activation Begins with ________