UCEL
Reusable Learning Object Specification V2.0
Date:
Dev. Date:
Duration:
Topic: Infection Control
09.11.05
Title: the inflammatory response
Author(s): Jacqueline Randle and Joanne Lymn
Developer(s):
Learning objective: to understand stages in the inflammatory process
Keywords: inflammatory response, immune response
Summary:
Last update: 01/07/2016
Page 1 of 3
4/11/02
ID:
UCEL
Reusable Learning Object Specification V2.0
Presentation:
Introduction
The inflammatory response is a series of local cellular and vascular
responses which are triggered when the body is injured or invaded
by micro-organisms or antigen. For instance, when you nick your
skin or you get a foreign object in your eye, reactions occur in order
to protect you. The functions of the inflammatory response are: to
prevent the spread of the microorganism/antigen to other areas;
dispose of any cellular debris and to begin the healing process.
Cells that have been damaged by injury or invasion release a
number of chemical signals, including histamine, prostaglandins and
cytokines. These cause dilation of local blood vessels, which
increases the blood flow to the injured area. This increased blood
flow is responsible for the redness and heat associated with
inflammation.The increased heat makes the local environment
unfavourable for microorganisms.
Some of these chemical signals act to attract specific types of white
blood cells to the area while others stimulate capillaries to become
more permeable and the increased blood flow transports more white
blood cells to the area. The combination of these events means that
plasma and white blood cells leak into the tissue. This results in
swelling, (oedema) in the affected area.
The types of white blood cells that are attracted to the damaged area
include neutrophils and monocytes which are said to be phagocytic.
That is they can remove bacteria and debris by engulfing or
swallowing it. The activation of complement proteins by foreign cells
such as bacteria also helps to promote phagocytosis.
The pain associated with inflammation results from the swollen
tissue putting pressure on the nerve endings causing pain.
Some of the chemical signals released from the damaged tissues
also act to stimulate the nerve endings, resulting in pain
Last update: 01/07/2016
Page 2 of 3
4/11/02
Images etc:
Picture of a bee stinging
somebody, with the
stinger penetrating the
skin and injecting venom
Picture of prostaglandin
Picture of red and
inflamed wound
What about a list of
possible mediators which
can be dragged to the
inflamed wound.
Inflammatory mediators
could stick whereas noninflammatory mediators
would fall away?!
Or what about a capillary
underneath the injection
site. If you drag an
inflammatory mediator
onto the site the capillary
dilates?!!
Picture of capillaries in
tissue. Plasma passing
through capillaries leaks
into tissue. WBCs in
plasma pass through
capillary walls into tissue
Picture of a neutrophil
engulfing a bacterium and
destroying it
UCEL
Reusable Learning Object Specification V2.0
4/11/02
Activity:
Assessment:
Criss-cross puzzle (see attached powerpoint file)
Links (1): rlo of summary of non-specific defences
Jo & myself to write
Links (2):
Glossary:
Related concepts:
Author’s notes:
Time:
Last update: 01/07/2016
Dev’s notes:
Total:
Total:
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