Topic 3 - Infection and response ( 5. fighting disease )

Question 1

what are some of the bodies defences to prevent pathogens getting in

Answer 1

the skin acts as a barrier
hair and mucus
the trachea and bronchi
stomach

Question 2

how does our immune system get rid of pathogens

Answer 2

the most important part of getting rid of pathogens in our immune system is wbcs. they have 3 ways of getting rid of pathogens.

1. consuming them, wbcs engulf any cells that are not meant to be there.
2. produce antitoxins, counteract the pathogens
3. producing antibodies, every invading pathogen has unique molecules called antigens on its surface. when wbcs come across a foreign antigen, they will produce antibodies to lock onto th invading cells so they can be found and destroyed by wbcs. if the person is infected with the same pathogen again the wbcs can rapidly produce antibodies to kill it.