Alternative pathway (of complement activation)
Chapter: 2
The "non-classical" pathway of triggering the complement cascade, without the need for participating antibody molecules to produce activation. Bacterial products, such as endotoxin, can activate the alternative pathway, which results in production of the same proinflammatory and membrane-injuring mediators that activation of the classical pathway does (see Fig. 2-16, p. 47 in your text). Note that the name of this pathway is alternative (i.e., other), not alternate (which means to go back-and-forth), as Fig. 2-16 incorrectly suggests.