← Chapter 12
Microbiology · Chapter 12

Barriers — the First Line of Defense

Before any immune cell is called, your body stops most microbes at the door — with an intact skin wall, moist mucous membranes, chemical secretions, and your own normal flora. Tap a body site to see each barrier at work.

The human barrier map

Tap a numbered site, or an item in the list.
The first line of defensefour barriers, working before you feel a thing
Skin Mucous membranes Secretions Normal flora