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Immunology and Disease: The Immune Response

Inflammation, clotting and phagocytosis

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 3

Overview

Two types of phagocyte that destroy pathogens in the tissues, how a phagocyte engulfs and digests a bacterium and phagocytic vacuole and what happens to its contents.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Give three ways in which localised inflammation helps to clear an infection.

Key term

Describe how a phagocyte engulfs and digests a bacterium.

Key term

Which cells release histamine in a damaged tissue, and what does histamine do?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Which cells release histamine in a damaged tissue, and what does histamine do?

    Model answer

    Mast cells in the damaged tissue release histamine, which dilates the arterioles supplying the area and makes the capillary walls more permeable.

  2. 2

    Explain why an inflamed area of tissue becomes red and feels hot.

    Model answer

    Dilation of the arterioles increases the volume of blood flowing through the capillaries of the area, and that extra warm blood near the surface produces both the redness and the raised temperature.

  3. 3

    Why does an inflamed area swell?

    Model answer

    The capillaries become more permeable, so more plasma and protein leak into the tissue and the volume of tissue fluid rises faster than the lymphatic system can drain it away.

  4. 4

    Give three ways in which localised inflammation helps to clear an infection.

    Model answer

    The increased blood flow delivers more phagocytes and antibodies to the site, the leaked plasma brings clotting factors that wall the area off, and the raised temperature slows bacterial reproduction while speeding the body's own enzymes.

  5. 5

    Why is the pain that accompanies inflammation biologically useful?

    Model answer

    The swelling presses on sensory nerve endings, and the resulting pain makes the person protect and rest the injured part so that it is not damaged further while it heals.

  6. 6

    Name the two types of phagocyte that destroy pathogens in the tissues.

    Model answer

    Neutrophils and macrophages are the two types of phagocyte.

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