![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Complement_pathway.svg/640px-Complement_pathway.svg.png&w=640&q=50)
Alternative complement pathway
Type of cascade reaction of the complement system / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The alternative pathway is a type of cascade reaction of the complement system and is a component of the innate immune system, a natural defense against infections.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Complement_pathway.svg/640px-Complement_pathway.svg.png)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Droga_alternatywna.png/640px-Droga_alternatywna.png)
The alternative pathway is one of three complement pathways that opsonize and kill pathogens. The pathway is triggered when the C3b protein directly binds a microbe. It can also be triggered by foreign materials and damaged tissues.