Activity 1

RAZ, Allyza Joyce V.

RAZ, Allyza Joyce V.

by Allyza Joyce Raz -
Number of replies: 0

Answers:

  1. Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.

 

  • When cells are harmed, they trigger a protective reaction - inflammation confines harmful microorganisms, toxins, and foreign substances to the area of damage and readies it for tissue restoration. Inflammation exhibits four distinctive indications: 

    • Redness (erythema)

    • Pain

    • Heat

    • Swelling (edema)



Stages of inflammation

1. Vasodilation and Increased Permeability:

  • The blood vessels dilate in order to facilitate a greater flow of blood to the area that has been injured. Increased permeability assists in the egress of vital substances from the blood vessels to contribute to the process of tissue repair. 



2. Phagocyte Emigration:

  • Phagocytic cells, which encompass white blood cells responsible for engulfing and breaking down pathogens, undergo migration towards the specific location where an injury has occurred. Initially, neutrophils act as the primary reactionary cells, succeeded by monocytes that undergo a transformation into macrophages within the inflamed tissue. Macrophages assume a key role in the process of phagocytosis, intensifying the elimination of foreign substances and deceased cells. 

 

3. Tissue Repair

  • The inflammatory response prepares the damaged tissue for repair. Phagocytes remove debris and dead cells, creating a pocket of dead phagocytes and damaged tissue known as pus. Pus may be expelled from the body, drained internally, or gradually absorbed over time.



Additional Points:

  • Heat production: The augmentation of metabolic activity at the site of inflammation results in the generation of excess heat, which is advantageous in facilitating various physiological mechanisms linked to tissue regeneration. 

 

  • Timeline: Phagocytes manifest themselves shortly after the onset of inflammation, exhibiting a sequential arrival of neutrophils and subsequently monocytes.   Monocytes undergo a transformative process, assuming the role of macrophages and contributing to heightened phagocytic capabilities.

 

  • Pus formation: Pus refers to an accumulation of deceased phagocytes and injured tissue, which may be expelled externally, internally drained, or slowly assimilated by the body.






  1. Choose one type of Immunity (Innate and Humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.

 

  • Innate or nonspecific immunity represents the body's intrinsic mechanism of defense, present since birth, crafted to safeguard against a wide spectrum of antigens. Constituting the foremost defensive barrier in the immune response, it encompasses diverse obstacles that deter the infiltration of harmful substances into the body. These innate defenses operate in conjunction with the inflammatory response, creating a holistic shield of protection.

 

Examples of innate immunity barriers include:

  1. Physical Barriers:

  • Skin: Acts as a physical barrier preventing the entry of microbes and foreign particles.

  • Mucus: Traps bacteria and small particles, aiding in their removal.

  • Cough Reflex: Expels irritants and pathogens from the respiratory system.

  • Enzymes in Tears and Skin Oils: Have antimicrobial properties.

 

  1. Chemical Barriers (Innate Humoral Immunity):

  • Stomach Acid: Creates an acidic environment that helps destroy ingested pathogens.

  • Complement System: A group of proteins in the blood that enhances the immune response, aiding in the destruction of microbes.

  • Interferon and Interleukin-1: These proteins contribute to innate humoral immunity, with interferons inhibiting viral replication and interleukin-1 inducing fever as part of the immune response.



References:

Chen, L., Deng, H., Cui, H., Fang, J., Zuo, Z., Deng, J., … Zhao, L. (2017). Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5805548/ 

 

Immune response: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000821.htm#:~:text=Innate%2C%20or%20nonspecific%2C%20immunity%20is,defense%20in%20the%20immune%20response.

 

(N.d.). Retrieved from https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/~trh/local_html/immunology/resistance/inflammation.htm#:~:text=Vasodilation%20allows%20more%20blood%20to,antibodies%2C%20clotting%20proteins%20and%20phagocytes.