Page 173 - The Cell in 40 Topics

Harun Yahya - Adnan Oktar

When one complement protein attaches itself to a foreign organism, it
changes its own shape. This is followed by another complement protein
bonding to the bacterium. Then other proteins belonging to the comple-
ment system adhere to the bacterium, one by one, until the invading bac-
terium finds itself surrounded by complement hunters (Figure 138).
The final element in the complement system is responsible for attack-
ing the bacterium’s cell membrane. This protein opens a hole in the cell
membrane, the only shield of the now-defenseless bacterium. Following
this attack, the bacterium absorbs water and explodes (Figure 139).

Figure 137.
Complement proteins regard the body’s own cells as hostile, just as it does
enemy bacteria entering the body from the outside. However, every cell in
the body has been equipped with the means to defend itself against comple-
ment proteins, so that these proteins can inflict harm on the enemy only.

Figure 138.
Complement
proteins cling to
the enemy bac-
terium’s surface,
thus neutralizing
it .

171