Human Defence Responses Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

How does the skin prevent pathogens entering the body?

It is a physical barrier of tough, dead keratinised cells covering the body surface.

What is the role of mucus in the airways?

It is sticky and traps pathogens and dust before they reach the lungs.

What is the role of cilia in the trachea and bronchi?

Tiny hairs that beat to waft mucus (with trapped pathogens) up to the throat, where it is swallowed.

Where are lysozymes found in the body and what do they do?

In tears, saliva and mucus; they are enzymes that break down bacterial cell walls, killing the bacteria.

How does hydrochloric acid in the stomach defend against disease?

Its very low pH kills pathogens in food and in swallowed mucus by denaturing their enzymes and proteins.