complement activation (GO:0006956)

Any process involved in the activation of any of the steps of the complement cascade, which allows for the direct killing of microbes, the disposal of immune complexes, and the regulation of other immune processes; the initial steps of complement activation involve one of three pathways, the classical pathway the alternative pathway, and the lectin pathway, all of which lead to the terminal complement pathway. Notes: - This term was improved by GO_REF:0000022. It was moved.

Specific

activation of membrane attack complex (GO:0001905) complement activation, alternative pathway (GO:0006957) complement activation, classical pathway (GO:0006958) complement activation, lectin pathway (GO:0001867)

General

protein activation cascade (GO:0072376) humoral immune response (GO:0006959) activation of immune response (GO:0002253) immune effector process (GO:0002252)

References

gene ontology: GO:0006956