Non - specific (Innate) defences

Non - specific (Innate) defences

1. Surface barriers

   • Skin
   • Mucous membranes
   • 1st line of defence
   • Chemical/mechanical barriers

2. Internal defences

   • 2nd line of defence
   • Phagocytes
     • Engulf bacteria
   • Natural killer (NK) cells
     • Makes cells leaky (perforates plasma membrane)
   • Inflammation
     • Causes redness, swelling, heat, pain and loss of function
   • Fever
     • Bodys thermostat is set to a higher level
   • Antimicrobial proteins
     • Stomach interferon, complement, Transferrins

3. Respond to a range of pathogens or foreign substances in a non-specific way