The video shows a phagocyte chasing and engulfing a bacterium.Explain how a fever would be likely to affect this process.
Question
The video shows a phagocyte chasing and engulfing a bacterium.
Explain how a fever would be likely to affect this process.
Solution
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Initiation of Fever: When the body detects foreign substances like bacteria, the immune system responds by releasing substances called pyrogens. These pyrogens act on the hypothalamus in the brain, which is responsible for regulating body temperature, causing it to increase and induce a fever.
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Effect on Phagocytes: A fever creates an environment in the body that is less favorable for bacterial growth. This is because many bacteria are sensitive to temperature changes and cannot survive in higher temperatures.
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Enhanced Immune Response: The elevated body temperature also enhances the immune response. Phagocytes, a type of white blood cell, are more active during a fever. They move more quickly to the site of infection and are more effective at engulfing and destroying bacteria.
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Increased Metabolism: Fever also increases the body's metabolic rate, which can stimulate the production of more white blood cells, including phagocytes. This means there are more cells available to fight off the infection.
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Conclusion: Therefore, a fever would likely enhance the process of a phagocyte chasing and engulfing a bacterium by creating an unfavorable environment for the bacteria, enhancing the activity and effectiveness of the phagocytes, and stimulating the production of more phagocytes.
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