Final answer:
The alternate pathway of the complement system is activated in the back of the neutrophil during polarization. It involves the splitting of the C3 protein into C3a and C3b, with C3a attracting phagocytes and C3b activating the rest of the cascade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pathway that is activated in the back of the neutrophil during polarization is known as the alternate pathway of the complement system.
In this pathway, the C3 protein is split into C3a and C3b. The smaller fragment, C3a, diffuses outward from the site of activation and attracts phagocytes to the site of infection. The larger fragment, C3b, binds to the surface of the pathogen and activates the rest of the cascade, leading to the formation of the membrane-attack complex (MAC) which can kill certain pathogens.
Overall, the activation of the alternate pathway helps recruit and activate immune cells like neutrophils to fight off infections.