Neurobiology and Immunology: Non-Specific Body Defences
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What is a pathogen?
A bacterium, virus or other organism that can cause disease
Non-specific defences can be what?
Physical and chemical
Epithelial cells do what?
Form a physical barrier
Closely packed epithelial cells are found where?
In the skin and inner linings of the digestive and respiratory systems
What are chemical secretions and what do they do?
Chemical secretions such as tears, saliva, mucus and stomach acid are produced against invading pathogens
What is the inflammatory response?
A defence mechanism triggered by damage to living tissue
Histamine is released by what? What does it do?
Mast cells. Causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability. The increased blood flow leads to an accumulation of phagocytes and clotting elements at the site of infection
What do phagocytes do?
Recognise pathogens and destroy them by phagocytosis
What does phagocytosis involve?
The engulfing of pathogens and their destruction by digestive enzymes containing lysosomes
What do phagocytes release?
Cytokines which attract more phagocytes to the site of infection
What are cytokines?
Cytokines are protein molecules that act as a signal to specific white blood cells, causing them to accumulate at the site of infection