1. Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.
Inflammation is one of the body’s nonspecific defense mechanisms. With that, the response of a tissue to a cut is similar to the response to damage caused by burns, radiation, or bacterial or viral invasion. In each case, the inflammatory response has three basic stages: (1) vasodilation and increased permeability of blood vessels, (2) emigration (movement) of phagocytes from the blood into interstitial fluid, and, ultimately, (3) tissue repair.
- Vasodilation and increased permeability of blood vessels — In response to injury, mast cells in connective tissue and basophils and platelets in blood release histamine. Polypeptides formed in blood from inactive precursors called kininogens, (kinins), induce vasodilation and increased permeability and serve as chemotactic agents for phagocytes.
- Emigration (movement) of phagocytes from the blood into the interstitial fluid — Within an hour after the inflammatory process starts, phagocytes appear on the scene, and their emigration begins. This emigration depends on chemotaxis. The neutrophils begin to squeeze through the wall of the blood vessel to reach the damaged area and attempts to destroy the invading microbes by phagocytosis.
- Tissue Repair — Within a few days, a pocket of dead phagocytes and damaged tissue forms; this collection of dead cells and fluid is called pus. Pus formation occurs in most inflammatory responses and usually continues until the infection subsides.
2. Choose one type of Immunity (Innate and Humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.
Antibody-mediated (Humoral) immunity
- Humoral immunity involves antibodies that bind to antigens in body humors or fluids. It helps protect our body by the B lymphocytes secretion of antibodies that eliminate extracellular microbes. It works primarily against extracellular pathogens such as viruses bacteria or fungi found in bodily fluids outside of cells.
Reference: Tortora, G. & Derrickson, B. (2014). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (14th ed.). New Jersey, NJ: Wiley