Physical defences against disease Flashcards
Skin
Unbroken, dry skin provides a covering to prevent microbes getting in
Skin
Unbroken, dry skin provides a covering to prevent microbes getting in
Mucus
A sticky liquid that traps microbes in the nose and trachea
Coughing
Moves microbe-containing mucus out of the windpipe
Stomach
Acid kills most microbes; poisons are removed by sickness and diarrhoea
Vaginal mucus
The low pH protects against some infections, as do the normal population of bacteria
Eyes
The blink reflex provides protection; microbes are washed out by a watery fluid containing lysozyme enzymes
Trachea
The trachea contains cilia, which move mucus to the back of the throat to be spat out or swallowed
Scab
Platelets weave a scab that covers an open wound; infections are destroyed by white blood cells
Mucus
A sticky liquid that traps microbes in the nose and trachea
Coughing
Moves microbe-containing mucus out of the windpipe
Stomach
Acid kills most microbes; poisons are removed by sickness and diarrhoea
Vaginal mucus
The low pH protects against some infections, as do the normal population of bacteria
Eyes
The blink reflex provides protection; microbes are washed out by a watery fluid containing lysozyme enzymes
Trachea
The trachea contains cilia, which move mucus to the back of the throat to be spat out or swallowed