Briefly describe the process of inflammation in an area that has been traumatized.
The process of inflammation is mainly concerned with disposing of microbes, toxins, or foreign material at the site of injury, preventing their spread to other tissues, and preparing the site for tissue repair in an attempt to restore tissue homeostasis. This has 3 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.
To explain further, vasodilation and increased permeability of blood vessels allow greater blood flow towards the site of inflammation. Emigration of phagocytes from the blood into interstitial fluid where eventually these neutrophils attempt to destroy invading microbes by phagocytosis. Tissue repair then involves the death of macrophages to make way for the restoration of the affected tissue.
Choose one type of Immunity (Innate and Humoral) and explain how its mechanism protects our body.
Innate or Nonspecific immunity includes the external physical and chemical barriers provided by the skin and mucous membranes. It also includes various internal defenses, such as antimicrobial substances, natural killer cells, phagocytes, inflammation, and fever.
This implies that this is our first and second line of defense against foreign substances entering the body. As it is also nonspecific, the mechanism of this type of immunity is faster than Adaptive immunity.
The first line of defense will always be the skin and mucous membranes as these serve as barriers to prevent pathogens from invading the body. The mucous membranes specifically trap foreign materials from further entering.
The second line of defense consists of the the immune system cells and proteins which will fight off the pathogens that have passed through the first line of defense.