Lung Defence

Question 1

Mucocillary escalator

Answer 1

▪️ciliated airway epithelial cells 
▪️air surface liquid (ASL)
-upper gel layer 
-peri-ciliary sol layer 
▪️beats 15times a sec in a synchronised wave

Question 2

ASL

Answer 2

▪️maintaining the height is important
-7micrometers
-too high or too low they don’t work properly
▪️volume of absorption of Na+ - controls water movement changing in consistency of ASL
▪️contain defensins, opsonins, macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes

Question 3

Epithelial sodium channel

Answer 3

▪️allows transport of Na+ ions out of ASL

• this draws out the water out of the mucus changing its consistency
• doesn’t drown

Question 4

Cl- secretion in airway

Answer 4

▪️when airways are dry

• Cl- secretion is activated, draws water in
• Na+ is inhibited to keep moisture in airway