Sample Solution

  The respiratory tract is a very important part of the body as it serves as the portal for air to enter and exit the lungs. This means that its defenses must be adequate in order to protect against foreign particles, bacteria, and viruses entering the body through this route. Fortunately, there are a variety of natural defenses which exist in order to aid in protecting this vital pathway from infection.

The first line of defense is physical barriers, such as mucous membranes which line the inside of the nose and throat. These membranes secrete mucus which traps any particulates floating in the air before they can enter further into the respiratory tract. Additionally, tiny hairs called cilia line these passages and help move trapped particles out towards either nostrils or down into the digestive system where they can be destroyed by stomach acid. Another barrier present is secretory IgA antibodies (SIgA), which are produced by cells within these mucous membranes and travel along with other substances like electrolytes within them to coat and protect their surfaces from foreign invasions. The SIgA molecules have special binding sites that allow them to recognize invading microbes or other particles and latch onto them before they can cause harm or spread further inside our bodies1 . Alongside SIgs, lysozymes act as an enzymatic defense mechanism; breaking down cell walls found on some pathogens so that they can no longer function properly2 . Lastly, macrophages swallow up invaders using pseudopodia3 , essentially engulfing whatever has been identified by IgAs or lysozymes as dangerous before it has time to do too much damage. Considering all these protective mechanisms available at our disposal I would say yes; I believe that these natural defenses are sufficient enough to protect us from most external threats entering via this entryway; however I think it’s important not to get too complacent when it comes to relying on just one form of protection alone! It’s crucial we take steps such as washing our hands regularly (to reduce transferable germs) wearing masks during cold/flu season (to reduce airborne particle passage) eating a balanced diet with plenty of Vitamin C4 (for immune boosting properties) avoiding smoking5 (as smoke directly damages our delicate lung tissue). With all these measures taken together we should be able pretty well protected against most threats coming through this main portal of entry!