URGENT I Need Help!!! Re: leukocytes

[dogsrus]

I am in an A&P class and it has been 10 yrs since I have taken the Biology. In the refresher portion of this class I was given a question to answer and not sure if what I am finding is what I really need to look for.

Q: What type of transport would be used by leukocytes when they secrete toxic substances and enzymes on to the surface of parasitic worms in humans?

[Dr.Stein]

Large parasites, such as worms, cannot be ingested by phagocytes; however, when the worm is coated with antibody, especially IgE, eosinophils can attack it through their binding to the high-affinity Fc-epsilon-RI. Similar attacks can be mounted by other Fc receptor-bearing cells on various large targets. These cells will release toxic contents of their granules directly onto the target, a process known as exocytosis.

Example:


Eosinophils attacking a schistosome larva.

[Darby]

Definitely exocytosis - are you studying golgi function?

[dogsrus]

No, I am not studing anything specific, the teacher has about 28 questions for General Biology review and has assigned people to each question. Unfortunately, like I said before it has been 10 yrs since I have even looked at anything relating to biology. Is eosinophils or exocytosis the transport system or is it the toxin that is released? I read that Hemolysin which is produced by E-coli has a cytotoxic affect on leukocytes.

[Dr.Stein]

Your words made me confused Or you don't understand the terms here

Eosinophils releases toxin, the mechanism of this toxin releasing is called exocytosis.

[Revenged]

eosinophil is the name of the type of white blood cell that targets worms...

the antibody produced is IgE... IgE binds to the worm...

(where does the IgE come from - i'm not sure...)

the white blood cell can recognise the IgE on the worm and then it can releases 'toxin'...

exocytosis is just a way that the toxin moves out of the cell... and this is what the question is asking about...

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/biolo ... /exocy.htm

NB. E-coli is a bacteria... It is not relavent to your question about exocytosis/destroying worms...

Hope that helps...

[dogsrus]

thank you all for your help, i have a liitle better understanding.