question
What are the physical barriers that protect against pathogens
answer
the epidermis, the mucous membranes that line the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts.
question
What is the most superficial layer of the epidermis made out of?
How does this layer protect from pathogens?
How does this layer protect from pathogens?
answer
dead skin cells filled with a protein called keratin.
These cells are almost impervious to the effects of any bacteria or virus.
These cells are almost impervious to the effects of any bacteria or virus.
question
What is the epidermis coated with that protects from pathogens?
answer
the epidermis is coated with Sebum "secretions" that limits the growth of many bacteria.
question
How does sebum protect the skin?
answer
oily substance found on the epidermis, is toxic to many bacteria and the acids found on the skin can cause the pH to drop to less than 5.
question
What is normal flora on the epidermis? how does it protect?
answer
Normal flora is harmless bacteria that normally inhabits the skin and protects the epidermis from infections. Normal flora protects us by taking up space and using nutrients up essentially outcompeting other pathogens.
question
Where is normal flora located besides the epidermis?
answer
mucus membranes that are exposed to the outside enviroment. Ex] large intestines, vaginal area
question
What are mucous membranes composed of?
answer
Tightly packed cells.
question
What is the weakness of mucous membranes?
answer
Although they restrict entry of pathogens, since they are made of living cells, pathogenic bacteria and viruses can directly affect them.
question
What are goblet cells, and how do they help mucous membranes?
answer
special cells in the mucous membrane that produce mucus. This mucus traps pathogens that enter the digestive, resperatory, or urinary tract to stop them from damaging the membrane.
question
What additional mechanism do eyes have to remove pathogens from its mucous membrane?
answer
Tears
question
What additional mechanism des the mouth have to remove pathogens?
answer
Saliva
question
What additional mechanism does the stomach have to remove pathogens?
answer
stomach acid (has little to do with food, and more to do with getting rid of pathogens.
question
What can disrupt large intestine natural flora?
answer
antibiotics, diet, and sleep patterns.
question
How can you fix a disruption of large intestine natural flora?
answer
Fecal transplant (through an enema)
question
How does natural flora help the vaginal area?
answer
Natural flora create an acidic enviroment in the vagina that discourages the growth of most pathogens.
question
What happens leads to a yeast infection in women?
answer
If the acid-producing bacterial populations are disrupted, the pH of the vagina begins to rise, allowing pathogenic yeasts to flourish
question
What are reflexes that try to remove pathogens from the body?
answer
Coughing, sneezing, vomiting and diarrhea
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