Final answer:
The complement system is an integral part of the immune system that supports both innate and adaptive responses but is not independent of the adaptive immune system. I
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the immune system, complement does not act independently of the adaptive immune system. Instead, it serves as a bridge between the innate and the adaptive immune systems. The complement system is a group of proteins that, upon activation, participate in a cascade of events aiming to eliminate pathogens. This sophisticated system enhances (complements) the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells, promotes inflammation, and attacks the pathogen's cell membrane. The reason complement is considered part of the innate immune system is that it is constantly present in the blood and can be quickly mobilized. Complement proteins are synthesized by the liver and macrophages and include a variety of functions such as opsonization, which marks pathogens for phagocytosis by other immune cells.
While the complement system is an integral part of the innate immunity, it also contributes to the adaptive immune response through what is known as the classical pathway. It is important to remember that the innate immune responses are generally faster than adaptive immune responses because they are always present and do not require prior exposure to an antigen to be activated.t consists of proteins that enhance the immune response by targeting pathogens for destruction and assists in bridging innate and adaptive immunity.