While hiking, you must push aside thick branches that are near your face. One of them rips the skin on your arm and you begin to bleed from the cut. Which of the following plays an important role in initially protecting you from infection?
A) nonspecific antibodies
B) barriers such as dead skin cells and mucus because they are part of the innate immune system
C) increased production of certain hormones and changes in microcirculation
D) memory cells because they are part of the adaptive immune system

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Barriers such as dead skin cells and mucus are part of the innate immune system, which provides the first line of defense against microbes that enter the body. These barriers prevent microbes from entering the body or limit their ability to penetrate deeper into tissues. Therefore, they are important in protecting the body from infection after a skin injury like the one described. Nonspecific antibodies and memory cells are part of the adaptive immune system, which is activated later in response to specific pathogens. Increased production of certain hormones and changes in microcirculation may play a role in the immune response, but they are not directly related to the initial protection from infection.

While Hiking, You Must Push Aside Thick Branches That Are