Category: STEAM Projects

This amplifies the immune response, recruiting white blood cells to the injury site. Basophils further enhance blood flow to the area, aiding immune cell delivery for tissue repair. The process of vasodilation, characterized by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls, leads to an increase in the diameter of blood vessels. This widening allows for a greater influx of blood to the affected area, carrying with it a higher concentration of WBCs, oxygen, and nutrients crucial for tissue repair. Additionally, an increase in vascular permeability, achieved through the loosening of endothelial junctions lining blood vessels, facilitates the migration of WBCs from the bloodstream into the affected tissue, where they can actively participate in the inflammatory and healing processes.

These cells are guided by chemotactic signals released by damaged tissues or invading pathogens. Upon arrival at the site of inflammation, neutrophils adhere to the top of the capillary walls and slip into tissues, where they engage in the phagocytosis process, engulfing and destroying pathogens and cellular debris. Additionally, neutrophils release antimicrobial peptides and proteolytic enzymes, aiming to neutralize pathogens and clear the affected area. 

Upon reaching the site of injury, monocytes differentiate into macrophages, which are versatile immune cells capable of phagocytosis and antigen presentation. Macrophages play crucial roles in clearing cellular debris, apoptotic cells, and pathogens, thereby creating a conducive environment for tissue regeneration and repair. Macrophages secrete various growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix components that promote angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and wound closure, facilitating the restoration of tissue integrity. 

T cells, for instance, modulate the inflammatory response, promoting resolution and tissue remodeling, while B cells produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens. NK cells, on the other hand, play a role in enhancing the inflammatory response by inducing apoptosis in target cells.

Eosinophils are particularly involved in combating parasitic infections and modulating allergic responses through the release of cytotoxic granules and inflammatory mediators. Basophils, meanwhile, contribute to the inflammatory response by releasing histamine and other pro-inflammatory molecules.