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Body Defense Mechanisms
Part A:
- Besides acting as mechanical barriers, the skin epidermis and mucosae of the body have other attributes that contribute to their protective roles. Cite the common body locations and the importance of mucus, lysozyme, keratin, acid pH, and cilia.
Part B:
- After a week of scuba diving in the Bahamas, Mary Ann boards an airplane. During her flight home, she develops aching joints, nausea, and dyspnea, which resolve upon landing. During the flight, the cabin pressure was equivalent to an altitude of 8000 feet. Explain her problems.
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Answer
Part A:
The skin epidermis and mucosae serve as essential components of the body’s first line of defense against pathogens, going beyond merely acting as physical barriers. They employ several specialized structures and substances to protect the body from infection and injury. Body Defense Mechanisms
- Mucus:
- Location: Mucus is found in areas like the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital tract.
- Importance: Mucus traps dust, bacteria, and other foreign particles, preventing them from entering deeper tissues. It also contains antimicrobial enzymes and antibodies that neutralize pathogens.
- Lysozyme:
- Location: Lysozyme is found in body fluids such as saliva, tears, and mucus.
- Importance: Lysozyme breaks down the cell walls of certain bacteria, particularly Gram-positive bacteria, by targeting peptidoglycan, thereby…
Part B:
Mary Ann’s symptoms during her flight home, which included aching joints, nausea, and dyspnea (shortness of breath), could be attributed to decompression sickness, commonly known as “the bends.” Decompression sickness can occur when dissolved gases (primarily nitrogen) that have accumulated in body tissues under high pressure (such as during scuba diving) are released too quickly as pressure decreases. During scuba diving, increased atmospheric pressure causes more nitrogen to dissolve into the blood and tissues. Body Defense Mechanisms
On the airplane, the cabin pressure, equivalent to an altitude of 8,000 feet, is lower than at sea level, which can cause nitrogen to come out of solution and form bubbles in the blood and tissues. These nitrogen bubbles can obstruct blood flow, leading to….