Methods of Non-Specific Defence Used by the Human Body

Non-specific defence mechanisms are the first line of defence in the immune system. They act as barriers to protect against a broad range of pathogens, not specific ones.
The skin plays a crucial role in non-specific defence. It acts as a physical barrier, preventing pathogens from entering the body, and is slightly acidic, which inhibits bacterial growth.
Mucous membranes line the body’s internal surfaces such as the respiratory tract and digestive system. These secretions contain enzymes that can destroy pathogens and sticky mucus that can trap disease-causing microorganisms.
Bodily fluids like tears, saliva, and sweat also contribute to non-specific defence. They contain lysozyme, an enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls.
The inflammatory response is another non-specific defence mechanism. When tissues are damaged, the immune system responds by releasing chemicals that cause blood vessels to dilate and leak fluid into the tissues, causing inflammation.
Fever is a systemic non-specific defence that the body uses when it determines an infection may be spreading. It slows the growth of bacteria and viruses and hastens recovery by speeding up the cellular repair process.
The action of cilia, tiny hair-like structures in the respiratory tract, contributes to non-specific defence by moving mucus and trapped pathogens towards the throat for expulsion from the body.
The role of the complement system - a group of proteins found in the blood - is to enhance the capacity of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells.
Phagocytes – white blood cells – are responsible for devouring harmful foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells, keeping our bodies clean of pathogens.
The final non-specific mechanism is the process of antigen presentation. Specialized cells show pieces of a pathogen to the immune system, which then gears up to fight the particular invader. While this is part of the specific immune response, it still belongs to the general defensive mechanisms.

Remember, these defences do not target specific pathogens, but rather form a general line of resistance against a variety of invading microorganisms.