1. Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.
The nonspecific, defensive response of the body to tissue damage occurs through inflammation. It is an attempt to eliminate microbes, toxins, or foreign material at the injury site, preventing their spread to other tissues, and preparing the site of tissue repair in a desire to reinstate tissue homeostasis. In an injured area, redness, pain, heat, swelling, and loss of function can be recognized as symptoms. Inflammatory response has three basic stages: first is vasodilation which permits more blood to flow through the traumatized area and increased blood vessel permeability which allows substances retained in blood pass from the blood vessels, second is the emigration of phagocytes wherein neutrophils utilize phagocytosis in the attempt to destroy invading microbes, and the last stage is tissue repair.
2. Choose one type of Immunity (Innate and Humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.
Innate or nonspecific immunity is the defense system we were born with. It involves the skin and mucous membranes as the first line of defense against pathogens as they provide both physical and chemical barriers that hinders pathogens and other foreign substances to penetrate the body and cause disease. However, there are instances that pathogens penetrate the barriers of the skin and mucous membranes and when this happens, they encounter a second line of defense. This second line of defense include antimicrobial substances which prevent microbial growth, natural killer cells which have the ability to kill infected cells, phagocytes for phagocytosis, inflammation or defense against tissue damage, and fever or the abnormal elevation of body temperature that increases body reactions aiding in repair.
Reference:
Tortora, G. & Derrickson, B.(2012). Principles of anatomy and physiology. John Wiley & Sons