1. Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.
Inflammation is the body’s nonspecific defensive response when traumatized or when tissue is damaged and it occurs in three stages – first, vasodilation and increased permeability of blood vessels. In this stage, vasodilation permits increased blood flow through the damaged area and helps eradicate microbial toxins and dead cells in the area. At the same time, increasing blood vessel permeability allows antibodies and clotting factors to go into the injured area. Second, Emigration of phagocytes from the blood into the interstitial fluid. An hour after the inflammatory process begins, phagocytes emerge and neutrophils begin to reach the area in an attempt to destroy the invading microbes through phagocytosis. Third, the last stage during inflammatory response is tissue repair.
2. Choose one type of Immunity (Innate and Humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.
Innate immunity is the defense system you have from birth which makes up both external physical and chemical barriers which are provided by the skin and mucous membranes. In addition to that, internal defenses such as natural killer cells, phagocytes, antimicrobial substances, inflammation, and fever also go under this type of immunity. The first line of defense would be the skin and mucous membranes wherein its multiple layers of packed, keratinized cells – also known as the epidermis, brings forth an outstanding physical barrier against microbes. In addition to that, the mucous membranes which are found lining body cavities secrete mucus that traps microbes and other foreign substances that may be found along the cavities. Other fluids like tears (which contain lysozyme which is an enzyme capable of breaking down walls of specific bacterias), saliva (which reduces colonization of microbes in the surfaces of the mouth), perspiration (helps get rid of microbes on the surface of the skin), nasal secretions, and tissue fluids all serve the body as first line of defense. More than that, innate immunity also offers a second line of defense which is mostly internal defenses. This is where antimicrobial substances (discourages microbial growth and infection), natural killer cells (attacks body cells that contain unusual plasma membrane proteins), phagocytes (ingests microbes and other debris), inflammation, and fever – all go through different processes to defend the body from its invaders.