The human body protects itself effectively against small bacterial and viral germs that can cause a disease, it is easy for pathogens to settle down and multiply due to the nutrients provided inside the human body and the shelter available. There are defence mechanisms in the body that fight against microbes such as:
Passive immunity: This is the first defence system which tries to stop the pathogen entering the body. The body’s passive immunity systems include the skin which acts a physical barrier, mucus and cilia in the respiratory system which trap and move along bacteria, Hydrochloric acid in the stomach and enzymes (lysozyme) in tears
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White blood cells play a key role in active immunity. White blood cells can, Ingest pathogens and destroy them, Produce antibodies to destroy pathogens and create antitoxins that neutralise the toxins produced by the pathogens.
Innate immunity: This is an immunity that occurs naturally in a person's genetic constitution/physiology and doesn’t arise from a previous infection or vaccination, this is called natural immunity.
Acquired immunity: Acquired immunity can be either active or passive. Active immunity is the development of antibodies in reaction to an antigen and vaccination is the exposure to the infectious disease through vaccination.
How the skin acts as a barrier to infection? The skin covers the whole body and protects it from physical damage, microbe infection and