In GCSE Science students will look at the requirements for keeping healthy. This is the fourth of six quizzes on that topic and it looks at the natural defences of the body against infection, such as white blood cells, antibodies, mucus, stomach acid and tears.
The human body is well defended against infection. Sometimes pathogens like bacteria and viruses do get through, making you ill. There are physical barriers like your skin and the cilia (tiny moving hairs) and mucus that line your respiratory system. The mucus is sticky and traps bacteria and viruses that enter your nose as you breathe in. There are chemical barriers too such as enzymes in tears and saliva that break down pathogens.