2026 EXAM Q&A STUDY GUIDE
◉ immunity or resistance to a specific pathogen; slower to respond,
has memory component Answer: adaptive immunity
◉ Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on host cells attach to? Answer:
pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs_
◉ Toll-like receptors (TLRs) bound to pathogen-associated
molecular patterns (PAMPs) induce the release of ----- from the host
cell that regulate the intensity and duration of immune responses
Answer: cytokines
◉ What are the layers of the skin? Answer: epidermis, dermis,
hypodermis
◉ inner portion of the skin made of connective tissue Answer:
dermis
◉ outer portion of the skin made of tightly packed epithelial cells
containing keratin, a protective protein Answer: epidermis
,◉ What layer of skin contains keratin? Answer: epidermis
◉ a protective protein Answer: keratin
◉ What inhibits microbial growth? Answer: shedding and dryness of
skin
◉ What is the first line of defense (immunity) Answer: skin and
mucous membranes
◉ What are the physical factors of innate immunity? Answer: Skin
mucous membranes
ciliary escalator
earwax
urine
vaginal secretions
peristalsis
defecation
vomiting
diarrhea
,◉ epithelial layer that lines the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and
genitourinary tracts Answer: mucous membranes
◉ viscous glycoproteins that trap microbes and prevent tracts from
drying out Answer: mucus
◉ drains tears; washes eye Answer: lacrimal apparatus
◉ List 2 examples of mucous membranes Answer: mucus
lacrimal apparatus
◉ transports microbes trapped in mucus away from the lungs
Answer: ciliary escalator
◉ prevents microbes from entering the ear Answer: earwax
◉ cleans the urethra via flow Answer: urine
◉ move microorganisms out of the vaginal tract Answer: vaginal
secretions
, ◉ Involuntary waves of muscle contraction that keep food moving
along in one direction through the digestive system and help in
innate immunity Answer: peristalsis
◉ List 4 examples of chemical factors in innate immunity Answer:
sebum
lysozyme
gastric juice (low ph)
vaginal secretions (low ph)
◉ forms a protective film and lowers the pH (3-5) of skin Answer:
sebum
◉ in perspiration, tears, saliva, and urine
destroys bacterial cell walls Answer: lysozymes
◉ Low pH (1.2 - 3) of ------ destroys most bacteria and toxins
Answer: gastric juices
◉ Low pH (3-5) of ------- inhibits microbes Answer: vaginal
secretions
◉ compete with pathogens via microbial antagonism (competitive
exclusion) Answer: normal microbiota