1. Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.
Inflammation is a nonspecific, defensive response of the body to tissue damage from pathogens, abrasions, chemical irritations, distortion of cells, and extreme temperature. Its signs and symptoms are pain, redness (erythema), immobility, swelling (edema), and heat. There are two types of inflammation which are Acute Inflammation, which lasts for a few days to weeks, and Chronic Inflammation, which lasts for a few months to years. The mechanism of inflammation happens in two major steps, namely (1) Vasodilation of Arterioles and Increased Blood Vessel Permeability, and (2) Emigration of Phagocytes.
- Vasodilation of Arterioles and Increased Blood Vessel Permeability. It is the widening of the arterioles and the easing of substance passage in blood vessel which allows more blood and defensive proteins to flow through the damaged area. These effects may be caused by histamine, kinins, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and complement. It results in heat, redness, and swelling.
- Emigration of Phagocytes. It is when neutrophils begin to stick to and squeeze through the endothelium of the blood vessels and reach the damaged area to destroy the invading microbes by phagocytosis. Once successful, the macrophages die and within a few days, a pocket of dead phagocytes and damaged tissue called pus forms.
2. Choose one type of immunity (innate and humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.
The Innate Body Defense, also known as the Nonspecific Body Defense, is comprised of two lines of defense, particularly the mechanical barriers that cover body surfaces and cells and chemicals that act on the initial battlefronts to protect the body from invading pathogens.
The first line of defense includes surface membrane barriers, particularly the epidermis and mucous membranes which both prevent the entry of pathogens in the body. The epidermis contains an acid mantle, which makes the epidermal surface acidic and inhibits bacterial growth, and keratin, which provides resistance to acids, alkalis, and bacterial enzymes. On the other hand, the mucus membranes consist of mucus, nasal hairs, cilia, gastric juice, vaginal acid mantle, and lacrimal secretion.
The second line of defense are the cellular and chemical defenses, including phagocytes, natural killer cells, inflammatory responses, and antimicrobial chemicals (complement, interferons, fluids with acid pH, and fever). If the pathogens are viable enough to pass through the first line of defense, the components of the second line of defense will destroy them in a generalized way without targeting specific individuals. This can be in the form of phagocytosis, fever, and inflammatory responses.
References
- Tortora, G., & Derrickson, B. (2017). Principles of Anatomy & Physiology (15th ed.). Wiley & Sons.
- Marieb, E., & Keller, S. (2017). Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology (12th ed.). Pearson.