Types of Chemical Defenses Flashcards
1
Q
Lysozyme
A
Tears, saliva, mucus
Most effective against gram + bacteria
Lyses bacteria by targeting peptidoglycan
2
Q
Salts
A
Sweat, which brings down water availability
3
Q
Sebum
A
Fatty acids, which lower pH to around 5 inhibiting growth of pathogens
4
Q
Stomach Acid
A
Lowers pH to 2-3, where microbes cannot grow
5
Q
Bile Salts
A
Inhibits gram + bacteria
6
Q
Acidity of urine + vaginal tract
A
Impacts what can grow there
White women have lactobacilli
7
Q
Soluble proteins
A
Antimicrobial peptides, complement, interferons, iron-binding proteins
8
Q
Defensins
A
Work to eliminate microbes
