Which of the following cells is most fragile to complement activity?

The answer indicates that all of the mentioned cell types – white blood cells, red blood cells, and thrombocytes (platelets) – are susceptible to complement activity, highlighting the fragility of these cells in the presence of complement system activation. The complement system is an essential part of the immune response, with various components involved in opsonization, lysis, and inflammation.

When complement proteins are activated, they can bind to surfaces of cells, leading to a cascade of events. For instance, they can form the membrane attack complex (MAC), which creates pores in target cell membranes, resulting in cell lysis and death. Red blood cells are particularly noted for being vulnerable to hemolysis due to complement activation, which can lead to conditions such as hemolytic transfusion reactions.

White blood cells, which include various types such as neutrophils and macrophages, can also be damaged by activated complement, affecting their functions in immune defense. Thrombocytes can be impacted similarly, where high levels of complement activity might lead to their activation or lysis, affecting hemostasis and clot formation.

Overall, all these cell types can be significantly affected by complement activity, making them fragile in situations where complement activation is excessive. Thus, recognizing the