Final answer:
Complement proteins bind to the surface of pathogens, enhancing phagocytosis by phagocytes such as neutrophils and macrophages. The process of marking pathogens for these phagocytes is known as opsonization, and antibodies like IgG intensify this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Other complement proteins bind to the surface of pathogens, which enhances phagocytosis by neutrophils, dendritic cells, and/or macrophages. Complement proteins are a critical part of the immune system, consisting of an array of approximately 20 types of soluble proteins. They function to identify and ultimately help destroy extracellular pathogens. This is accomplished in part by marking pathogens to increase their recognition by phagocytes, such as macrophages and neutrophils. This process, known as opsonization, not only flags the pathogens but also facilitates their engulfment and destruction by phagocytes.
Antibodies, particularly IgG, can bind to pathogens, serving as a signal for the recruitment of complement proteins. This leads to an enhanced immune response where phagocytic cells, with a higher affinity for the opsonized pathogens, can more effectively bind and ingest them. Therefore, the interaction between antibodies, complement proteins, and phagocytes significantly bolsters the body's ability to clear infections.