COMPLEMENT -
Noun: Complement is an important immune agent which is a combination of eleven protein enzymes that circulate in the blood and act as catalysts in antibody - antigen reactions. When an invader appears, an antibody recognizes the antigen (foreign cell) and binds with it to form a complex which then fixes complement on the surface of the foreign cell where the first complement enzymatic reaction then take place. The complement releases its first enzyme; then the next one is released until all eleven enzymes are used up. Each reaction has a particular function. For example, one step dilates blood vessels while another destroys the walls of bacteria. Another attracts phagocytes to the site of inflammation and cause them to be very voracious eaters.

Latin - com = up +

Latin - plere = fill

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