1. Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.
- Inflammation is the body’s defensive response to tissue damage. It is similar to the body’s response to burns, radiations, and bacterial infections. It has three main stages: (1) Vasodilation and increased blood vessel permeability, (2) Emigration of phagocytes, and (3) Tissue repair. Vasodilation or the increase in the diameter of the arterioles and increased in permeability of capillaries increases the blood flow, allowing substances in the blood to pass through the damaged area. The process of emigration of phagocytes allows neutrophils to adhere to the inner portion of the endothelium of blood vessels, trying to destroy microbes that are invading through phagocytosis. Eventually, the microbes get destroyed, initiating the final stage which is the repairing of the damaged tissue. A clump of dead phagocytes and damaged tissue forms—pus. The formation of pus continues until the damage and infection subsides.
2. Choose one type of Immunity (Innate and Humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.
- Innate immunity is a non-specific type of immunity that is innate to us or in the other words, we are born with this type of immunity. In this type, there are two layers that protects us from infections and diseases. The first line of defense is the skin and mucous membrane. Since the skin has many layers whoch are closely packed, bacterias will have a hard time penetrating through the surface. The mucous membrane which lines the body cavities has a fluid called “mucus” which has a characteristic that is viscous and lubricating. Because of this characteristics, it traps microbes and foreign substances. In the upper respiratory tract, its mucous membrane contains cilia, a hairlike projection which propels microbes and dusts to the mucus, trapping them to the throat. Through coughing and sneezing, it increases the movement of mucus and microbes out of the body. In case when we swallow mucus which contains pathogens, it is directly sent to the stomach where in gastric juice destroys themp. When pathogens were able to penetrate the first line of defense, they will face the second line of defense which are the internal antimicrobial substancesm phagocytes, NK (Natural Killer) Cells, Inflammation, and Fever.