Asked by Oothh

How do cilia in the respiratory tract contribute to the body's defense mechanism?
directly killing pathogens
producing antimicrobial fluids
signaling for immune cells
moving mucus out of the lungs

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Moving mucus out of the lungs.

Cilia beat in coordinated waves to propel mucus (which traps inhaled particles and microbes) up toward the throat for swallowing or expectoration—the mucociliary escalator. They do not directly kill pathogens or produce antimicrobial fluids, and their main role is not signaling for immune cells.