complement depletion (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun Phrase

Phonetic Transcription

/kəmˈplɛmɛnt dɪˈpliːʃən/

Meaning and Usage

"Complement depletion" refers to a reduction or absence of complement proteins in the immune system, which are critical for enhancing the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens. This term is predominantly used in medical and immunological contexts, particularly in discussions related to immune deficiencies, infections, and autoimmune diseases. Its frequency of use is relatively low, as it is a specialized term more common in written scientific texts than in everyday oral speech.

Example Sentences

1. Complement depletion can lead to increased susceptibility to infections.
   La depleción del complemento puede llevar a una mayor susceptibilidad a las infecciones.

2. In patients with diseases like lupus, complement depletion is often observed.
   En pacientes con enfermedades como el lupus, se observa a menudo la depleción del complemento.

3. Researchers are studying the effects of complement depletion on cellular immunity.
   Los investigadores están estudiando los efectos de la depleción del complemento en la inmunidad celular.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "complement depletion" itself is not commonly featured in idiomatic expressions, the term often appears in discussions about "immune system" and "defense mechanisms," which can be idiomatic in scientific literature.

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. The body’s defense mechanism relies heavily on complement proteins, so complement depletion is a serious issue.
   El mecanismo de defensa del cuerpo depende en gran medida de las proteínas del complemento, por lo que la depleción del complemento es un problema serio.

2. When discussing viruses, one might say the immune system is compromised due to complement depletion.
   Al hablar de virus, uno podría decir que el sistema inmunológico está comprometido debido a la depleción del complemento.

3. Understanding how immune responses are affected by complement depletion is essential in immunology.
   Entender cómo las respuestas inmunitarias se ven afectadas por la depleción del complemento es esencial en inmunología.

Etymology

The term "complement" originates from the Latin "complementum," meaning "that which completes." The use of "depletion" comes from the Latin "depletio," meaning "to empty or exhaust." The combination describes the state of having insufficient complements.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Complement deficiency
- Complement shortage

Antonyms:
- Complement abundance
- Complement surplus