Explain the mechanical and chemical barriers of the skin

What will be an ideal response?


Mechanical barriers rinse, flush, or trap pathogens to limit their spread into the body. Tightly compacted dead epithelial cells are constantly being sluffed off and as they do so, they carry away any bacteria that might be on them. Epithelial cells are enriched with specialized proteins (such as keratin) and lipids to serve as a water-resistant layer. The skin's relatively dry, low nutrient, salty, and slightly acidic environment inhibits the growth of many microbes. Certain fatty acids in sweat serve as additional chemical barriers. Certain skin cells also make antimicrobial peptides.

Biology & Microbiology

You might also like to view...

Which of the following statements applies to sexually reproducing species but not asexually reproducing species?

A. Reproduction can occur with either one or two parents. B. The two "daughter" cells that result from cell division following mitosis are genetically identical to each other and to the original "parent" cell. C. Two kinds of cell division are required. D. Offspring are able to reproduce.

Biology & Microbiology

__________ are alternative forms of a gene that govern the same feature, such as eye color, and

occupy corresponding positions on homologous chromosomes. a. Alleles b. Loci c. Homozygotes d. Coupled traits e. None of these

Biology & Microbiology

In the process of fertilization in conifers, the pollen tube grows to the:a

archegonium. b. antheridium. c. microspores. d. pollen grains. e. microsporangia.

Biology & Microbiology

Select the four main categories of antifungal agents. Select All That Apply

What will be an ideal response?

Biology & Microbiology