Question

How do the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs fight against pathogens?

Answer 1

Your nose, mouth and eyes are obvious entry points for pathogens. However, tears, mucus and saliva contain an enzyme that breaks down the cell wall of many bacteria. Those that are not killed immediately are trapped in mucus and swallowed. Special cells line and protect the nose, throat and other passages within your body. The inner lining of your gut and lungs also produces mucus to trap invading pathogens.

Answer 2

Functioning of the following organs against pathogens (disease-causing organism):

• Mouth: The saliva secreted by the salivary gland of the mouth contains an enzyme called salivary amylase which has the ability to kill the pathogens such as bacteria by destroying its cell wall.

• Nose: The hair present in the nose, filter the pathogens and ensures that only pure air enters the body.

• Throat: The mucous lining of the throat fights against pathogen by the mucus secretion with which the pathogen is trapped and swallowed.

• Lungs: The inner lining of the lungs secretes mucous which traps the pathogens and thus kills the pathogens.