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Gram-positive bacteria are generally resistant to complement-mediated lysis because
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- thick peptidoglycan layer prevents insertion of membrane attack complex into the inner membrane
- Gram-positive bacteria import the membrane attack complex and inactivate it
- membrane attack complex is degraded by the proteases produced by the Gram-positive bacteria
- Gram-positive bacteria cannot activate the complement pathway
Correct Option: A
Gram positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan as their cell wall which provides strength and support to the bacteria. Complement-mediated lysis and attack system is based on the formation of complement proteins which form membrane attack complex that insert into the plasma membrane of the cell and undergo cell lysis. But, due to the thick protection of gram positive bacteria by peptidoglycan on the outer cell membrane, complement proteins cannot enter the cell and cause lysis.
