Explain the mechanisms of bacterial killing by neutrophil.

Expert Solution

Neutrophils are phagocytic cells of the innate immune system. They respond to chemical signals given due to injury or infection like histamines, leukotrienes and interleukins and congregate at that site by chemotaxis within a few minutes. They eat foreign microbes, much like amoebas engulf their food particles. However, for this purpose, the microbe/antigen must be coated with antibodies existing in our blood.

Once the opsonized antigen (coated microbe) has been phagocytosed (engulfed), the antigen is lysed/digested by destroying it with hydrolytic enzymes and superoxide free radicals. To do so, the neutrophil activates an enzyme called NADPH oxidase (NADP = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, an energy giving biomolecule and reducing agent). But this enzyme requires oxygen (dioxygen) to produce the free radicals which are extremely damaging agents. For this purpose, the neutorphil also consumes oxygen in a burst, called 'respiratory burst'. Free radicals are produced according to the reaction:

NADPH + 2O₂ gives NADP⁺ + H⁺ + 2O₂⁻ where the dot represents the unpaired electron (2 electrons taken from NADPH are given to oxygen to produce the superoxide free radical)

Sydney Mullin answered 2 years ago

How is bacterial killing mediated by the complement system?

• Understand how resistance emerges. • Know mechanisms of antibiotic killing.

• Understand how resistance emerges. • Know mechanisms of antibiotic killing. • How do bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance and how does antibiotic resistance spread through a bacterial population? • How are antibiotic resistant bacteria spread through a community of people? • Describe ways in which antibiotics have been misused and how they have contributed to the rise in antibiotic resistance. • Describe the four different mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and give examples of each, including specifically how they confer...

what are three mechanisms for bacterial adhesion to surface?

Killing Germs When a person has a bacterial infection their doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Give an...

Killing Germs When a person has a bacterial infection their doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Give an example of an antibiotic and explain how it works to harm bacteria but not human cells. Would antibiotics be effective for viruses? Explain why or why not.

Part A. A neutrophil is chasing a pathogenic bacterium. Explain how it will detect and move...

Part A. A neutrophil is chasing a pathogenic bacterium. Explain how it will detect and move toward its prey and how it will change course when necessary. Part B. A mutation that destroys the GTPase function of Ras is an initiating event in many cancers. Describe how constant activation of Ras will cause increased expression of Cyclin D and S phase genes by the transcription factor E2F. Part C. When the transcription factor E2F is activated, it can amplify its...

Which of bacterial antibiotic resistance mechanisms most accurately describes this following scenario?

Which of bacterial antibiotic resistance mechanisms most accurately describes this following scenario? Scenario: MRSA has attained a new penicilin binding protein which inhibits beta-lactams from binding. This was probably obtained through _______ and is an example of __________ mechanism of reisistance: 1) point mutation, target mimicracy 2) transformation, target modification 3) conjugation, target overproduction 4)) transduction, drug inactivation

Explain in detail the events that take place during the extravasation or neutrophil transmigration from the...

Explain in detail the events that take place during the extravasation or neutrophil transmigration from the circulation to the connection tissue during inflammation.

qestion about Neutrophil (1) Neutrophil 1. elevated in reponse to larger parasites& allergens 2. mainly elevated...

qestion about Neutrophil (1) Neutrophil 1. elevated in reponse to larger parasites& allergens 2. mainly elevated in response to allergens 3. not actually a cell 4. phagocytizes stuff 5. elevated in response to bacterial infection Basophil 1. elevated in reponse to larger parasites& allergens 2. mainly elevated in response to allergens 3. not actually a cell 4. phagocytizes stuff 5. elevated in response to bacterial infection Eosinophil 1. elevated in reponse to larger parasites& allergens 2. mainly elevated in response...

Define the principle of avoidance in killing. What is the difference between "active killing" and "letting...

Define the principle of avoidance in killing. What is the difference between "active killing" and "letting die" Do you believe it is ever ethically acceptable to help someone end their life? Explain.

Explain the mechanisms that influence hemodynamics

Question