Skin and Mucus: Pathogens-Away!
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Transcript Skin and Mucus: Pathogens-Away!
Skin and Mucus:
Pathogens-Away!
By: Piggy G, Tiny, Reeses, and
Pikachu
Pathogen:
living organism that causes a disease
includes: viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and worms
(exposure doesn’t always result in disease)
Definition: An agent of disease. A disease producer. The
term pathogen most commonly is used to refer to infectious
organisms.
Less commonly refers to a noninfectious agent of
disease such as a chemical.
compounded from patho- meaning disease + -gen
indicating a producer.
......Hence, a disease producer.
Transmitted though: inhalation, physical contact, burrowing through
skin, body fluids, ingestion...etc.
Various Pathogens
Active vs. Passive Immunity
active immunity
Naturally acquired
occurs when the person is exposed to a live pathogen,
develops the disease, becomes immune as a result of
the primary immune response
Artificially acquired active immunity can be induced by
a vaccine, a substance that contains the antigen
(vaccine stimulates a primary response against the
antigen w/o causing symptoms of the disease)
Passive immunity
Artificially acquired passive immunity is a short-term
immunization by the injection of antibodies that are not
produced by the recipient's cells
Naturally acquired passive immunity occurs during
pregnancy, in which certain antibodies are passed from
the mother into the fetal bloodstream.
Skin
Skin: outer barrier to infection
first line of defense is nonspecific
Epidermis: upper layer (dead cells)
Good barrier against most pathogens because
cells aren’t alive
composed of multiple layers of tightly packed
cells, which few pathogens can penetrate on their
own
natural shedding of dead skin cells removes many
attached microorganisms
epidermal dendritic cells that actively patrol the
skin to phagocytize (engulf and digest) pathogens.
Dermis: lower layer (live cells)
beneath epidermis, contains protein fibers called
collagen
Collagen is a tough fibrous protein, gives skin the
strength and pliability to resist abrasions that
could introduce microorganisms
...More Skin
(2 layers, 2 slides – get it? Haha!)
Chemical Components of the Skin's Defense:
Perspiration
Secreted by the skin’s sweat glands, contains salt and
enzymes; few microbes can live in a highly saline
environment, like skin’s surface; lysozymes in sweat
are a type of enzyme that can destroy the cell walls of
bacteria
Sebum
Sebum secreted by skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands; oil
helps keep skin pliable, less likely to break/tear;
lowers pH of the skin to acidic level that inhibits the
growth of many types of bacteria
Mucus
mucous: mucous membrane is a part of
bodily defense like skin, but lines the inner
surface of the body; protects the body
against the acids and ph changes inside our
body; since it is a thick layer it also act as
shock absorber
mucus: lines passageways
stickiness traps pathogens preventing them
from reaching cells they could infect
secretes lysozyme which kills pathogens
See? Mucus
is good! -->
Mucous-secreting membranes line all body
cavities open to the outside environment
Unlike the skin’s surface epidermal cells,
the epithelial cells on the outermost layer
of mucous membranes are alive
tightly packed together, preventing entry of
pathogens into the body
Epithelial cells continually shedding; the
discarded cells carrying away any attached
(think about the inside of your nose...)