IMMUNOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mucous membranes secrete mucus, a slimy substance that traps pathogens.

Detailed explanation-2: -Mucous membranes secrete mucus, which is a slimy and somewhat sticky substance that traps pathogens. Many mucous membranes also have hair-like cilia that sweep mucus and trapped pathogens toward body openings where they can be removed from the body.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mucous membranes consist of a layer of epithelial cells bound by tight junctions. The epithelial cells secrete a moist, sticky substance called mucus, which covers and protects the more fragile cell layers beneath it and traps debris and particulate matter, including microbes.

Detailed explanation-4: -Mucus is a protective substance that’s excreted from multiple areas of the body, such as the mouth, sinuses, throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines (Figure 1). Mucus itself consists of multiple constituents, but its major component is a substance called mucin.

Detailed explanation-5: -The mucosa functions primarily as part of your body’s immune system. It provides a barrier against foreign particles, captures them in its sticky mucus and clears them out. Immune cells and natural antibiotics in the mucus defend against pathogens, while the lubrication defends against injury.

Detailed explanation-6: -The epithelial surfaces of the body keep pathogens out, and protect against colonization and against viruses and bacteria that enter through specialized cell-surface interactions, by preventing pathogen adherence and by secreting antimicrobial enzymes and peptides.