HL Chapter 13 Exercise and Immunity

Question 1

overview of the immune system -3

Answer 1

• Protects the body from infectious disease.
• Involved in tissue repair
• Protection against potential pathogens (something that can cause you to get sick)

Question 2

Physical components and their mechanisms the body uses in response to damage or infectious agent: (2)

Answer 2

1. Skin / epithelial
   Protects external structures when intact (outer body areas)
   * Contains biochemical defense agents
   * chemicals and enzymes which block microbial growth on skin
   * Skin pH is roughly ~ 5.6 – 6.4 - kills pathogens
2. Mucus
   protects internal structures by trapping pathogens before they can get in
   –> the trachea, esophagus
   * Surface cells that release fluids to wash away pathogens
   –> mucus, saliva, tears, etc
   * May have cilia to aid in the removal of pathogens
   -> along with physical actions such as coughing / sneezing

Question 3

soulable components and their mechanisms the body uses in response to damage or infectious agent: (8)

Answer 3

Soluble Factors (things dissolved in blood stream)

• pH of blood / stomach
  –> Stomach acid kills many bacteria that enter through food
  –> The pH is too low for the pathogen to survive
• Hormones
• Inflammation
  –> Inflammation = Swelling due to an increase of fluid in and decrease of fluid out
• Increase in temp of the area - can kills some pathogens
  –> protects the area (more cushion)
  –> isolates pathogen (can’t get out to rest of body)
  –> allows immune cells to reach the site of damage
• Platelets
  –> Platelets allow for clots to form. These clots close cuts in the skin. Cuts are holes that pathogens can enter through.
• Macrophages
• Leukocytes
• Lymphocytes / antibodies

Question 4

Effects of intense and long term training on the immune system: (3)

Answer 4

• Prolonged exercise leads to muscle degradation
  –> Muscle tears
• Cortisol is released as a response to exercise stress
• Adrenaline is released as a response to exercise stress

Question 5

how single intense workout impact immune system

Answer 5

improves the immune system and while triggering an immune response in muscles –> increase in leukocytes and swelling as a response to muscle damage

Question 6

how prolonged intense training program impact the immune system - 6

Answer 6

• decrease in innate and adaptive immune functions
• cortisol and adrenaline suppress the immune system
• reason is a drop in leukocyte numbers compared to sedentary
• drop in lymphocyte numbers (sub-type of leukocyte)

Summary:
* Multiple intense bouts of training decreases the immune system.
* Moderate intensity training improves the immune system compared to sedentary.

Question 7

training and infection chart trend (4)

Answer 7

a j-shaped curve going from sedentary to moderate to intense exercise
why:
* Intense exercise inhibits the functioning of the immune system–> Less ability to fight off a disease
* Moderate exercise improves the functioning of the immune system–> Better ability to fight off a disease
* High intensity causes more frequent and larger breathes → higher chance of inhaling an airborne pathogen

Question 8

strategies for minimizing risk from infection among athletes

Answer 8

(how to stop/reduce pathogens from getting in)
* Incorporation of sufficient recovery time into training programmes.
* Avoid close contact with people with infections.
* Maintain oral hygiene.
* Maintain hydration status.
* Ensure water is pathogen-free.
* Maintain good personal hygiene (for example, washing hands, avoiding hand-to mouth contact).
* Maintain a suitable and varied diet.
* Ensure sufficient sleep