ACTIVITY 1
Answer the following questions:
1. Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.
A non-specific, protective reaction of the body to tissue damage is inflammation. An area that has been traumatized experiences three stages of inflammation: (1) vasodilation and increased blood vessel permeability; (2) movement of phagocytes from the blood into interstitial fluid; and (3) tissue regeneration.
Substances such as histamine and kinins are released in response to damage to influence vasodilation and greater permeability. Vasodilation lets more blood to flow through the affected tissue, and increased permeability enables protective proteins from the blood, such as clotting factors and antibodies, to reach the injured area. Additionally, the increased blood flow aids in the removal of dead cells and toxic bacteria.
As blood volume increases, neutrophils start to adhere to the inner surface of the blood vessels and squeeze through them to the damaged area. Then, neutrophils employ phagocytosis to try and kill the invasive microorganisms present. Chemotaxis is a necessary component of this emigration process.
Following a quick neutrophil depletion, monocytes that had followed the neutrophils into the infection area undergo a transformation as roaming macrophages that increase the phagocytic activity of the fixed macrophages already present.
Macrophages eventually die as well, and after a few days, a pocket of decomposing phagocytes and damaged tissue develops. Pus is the term for this mass of fluid and dead cells that often persists until the infection clears up before being progressively digested over the course of several days. After that, the injured area is ready for tissue repair.
2. Choose one type of Immunity (Innate and Humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.
Humoral immunity is an antibody-mediated reaction that happens when the body detects foreign substances, or antigens. This foreign matter frequently consists of extracellular intruders like bacteria. B cell lymphocytes, a type of immune cell that changes into plasma cells and produces antibodies in response to the detection of a particular antigen, are principally responsible for this mechanism.
References:
Dornell, J. (2021, January 25). Humoral vs Cell-Mediated Immunity. Immunology & Microbiology from Technology Networks; Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/immunology/articles/humoral-vs-cell-mediated-immunity-344829
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2014). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (14th ed.). Wiley.