4.1.1 Non-Specific Responses To Pathogens

Question 1

Mucous membranes?

Answer 1

Cover open parts of the body, have goblet cells to secrete mucus to trap pathogens, not as resistant as skin, ciliated cells to waft mucus

Question 2

Skin?

Answer 2

Mainly dead skin cells, so not suitable for viral infection, constantly removed to make settling difficult for pathogens, dry surface

Question 3

Blood clots?

Answer 3

Clot to repair and block a break in the skin, platelets

Question 4

Haemophilia?

Answer 4

A condition where an individual’s blood is unable to clot

Question 5

Blood clotting cascade reaction?

Answer 5

Platelets are activated by damaged skin and produce thromboplastin
Thromboplastin joins to Ca^2+ and catalyses prothrombin to thrombin
Thrombin catalyses soluble fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin, forming a blood clot

Question 6

Inflammatory response?

Answer 6

Histamines dilute blood vessels, causing tissue fluid to leak out and cause swelling and redness; caused by a pathogen entering the body / coming into contact with an allergen

Question 7

Antihistamines…

Answer 7

Reduce the inflammatory response

Question 8

Cytokines…

Answer 8

At track white blood cells to attack pathogens

Question 9

Non specific responses to keep pathogens out (4)

Answer 9

Mucous membranes and skin (physical), blood clotting and inflammation (chemical)

Question 10

Fever

Answer 10

Above normal body temperature, increases kinetic energy so immune cells can move more, pathogen and body enzymes can become denatured, brain actively changes the body temperature from 37’C

Question 11

Phagocytosis?

Answer 11

The engulfing of a pathogen by a leukocyte

Question 12

Non specific responses to get rid of pathogens?

Answer 12

Fever, phagocytosis