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How can proteins in blood make a hole in a bacterium?

Some immune defenses work by assembling proteins into a pore. The complement system’s membrane attack complex can damage susceptible bacteria by disrupting the membrane that keeps their contents under control.

3–5 min

Questions you could explore

  • Why does the same protein assembly affect some bacterial targets more than others?

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  • OpenStax17.2 Chemical Defenses

    Explains the protein cascade, pore formation and why bacterial structure affects susceptibility. Complement also has other roles, so this mechanism is only part of the system.

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Why won’t an antibiotic treat a viral cold?

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