The video discusses the Complement System, a defense mechanism in the human body that has evolved over billions of years. It is an army of over 30 different proteins that work together to stop intruders, with about 15 quintillion of them saturating every fluid in your body.
The Complement System performs three main functions: it cripples enemies, activates the immune system, and rips holes in things until they die. The proteins in the system are initially in a passive state, doing nothing until they get activated and change their shape.
The video uses the analogy of a fire starting with one match (C3 protein) that breaks into two smaller proteins (C3A and C3B). C3B is like a seeker missile specialized in bacteria, fungi, and viruses. If it finds a target, it anchors itself tightly to the surface and changes its shape to grab other proteins, starting a small cascade that changes its shape multiple times, adding other complement proteins to itself. It finally transforms into a recruiting platform known as C3 convertase, which is an expert at activating more C3 proteins.
The Complement System also has a distress beacon (C3A) that floods away from the site of battle, screaming for attention. Passive immune cells notice the C3A proteins and awaken from their slumber to follow the protein tracks to the site of infection. The more alarm proteins they encounter, the more aggressive they get. This way, the Complement System guides reinforcements exactly to the place where they're needed the most.
The Complement System is extremely important but only one player in the complex and beautiful organization that is our immune system. It is a beautiful example of how many mindless things can do smart things together.
1. Multicellular life evolved over billions of years to develop ways to defend itself against other living beings.
2. Humans have a sophisticated defense network, including physical barriers, cells, and weapons factories.
3. One of the most important defenses of our body is the complement system, which evolved over 700 million years ago.
4. The complement system is an army of over 30 different proteins that work together in a complex and elegant dance to stop intruders.
5. About 15 quintillion of these proteins are saturating every fluid in your body right now, guided by nothing but chemistry.
6. These proteins are one of the most effective weapons we have against invaders.
7. Other parts of the immune system are just tools to activate the complement system.
8. The complement system does three things: it cripples enemies, activates the immune system, and rips holes in things until they die.
9. The complement proteins float around in a sort of passive mode, doing nothing until they get activated and change their shape.
10. The shape of a protein determines what it can and cannot do.
11. The complement attack begins with C3, the first match, which will start the fire.
12. C3 needs to switch from passive to active to start the fire.
13. C3 breaks into two smaller proteins, C3a and C3b, that are now activated.
14. C3B protein is like a seeker missile, specialized in bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
15. If C3b finds a target, it anchors itself very tightly to its surface and doesn't let go.
16. The protein changes its shape again in its new shape, it's now able to grab other proteins and start a small cascade.
17. The complement has slowed down the invaders and called for help.
18. The first immune cells to arrive at the battlefield are phagocytes, which trap enemies in a tiny prison and then kill them with acid.
19. The complement that has anchored itself to the bacteria acts as a sort of glue, making it easy for the immune cells to catch their victims.
20. The complement recruitment platform changes its shape again and begins to recruit new proteins together.
21. They begin the construction of a bigger structure, a membrane attack complex.
22. New proteins shaped like long spears anchor themselves deep into the bacteria's membranes until they rip a hole into them that can't be closed.
23. The invasion has been nipped in the bud before it had the opportunity to become dangerous.
24. The complement system is only one player in the complex and a beautiful organization that is our immune system.
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