Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is caused by a range of allergens, including pollen, animal fur, dust mites and moulds entering the body via the eyes, nose or mouth - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 21 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 21
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is caused by a range of allergens, including pollen, animal fur, dust mites and moulds entering the body via the eyes, nose or mouth.
T... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is caused by a range of allergens, including pollen, animal fur, dust mites and moulds entering the body via the eyes, nose or mouth - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 21 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. mast cells.
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Answer
Mast cells play a crucial role in the allergic response by releasing histamine and other chemicals when they encounter allergens. These cells are found in various tissues throughout the body and are particularly abundant in the skin, lungs, and digestive tract.
Step 2
B. eosinophils.
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Answer
While eosinophils are involved in the immune response and can contribute to inflammation, they are not primarily responsible for the release of histamine in allergies.
Step 3
C. macrophages.
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Macrophages are important for phagocytosing pathogens and cellular debris but do not release histamine as part of the immediate allergic response.
Step 4
D. natural killer cells.
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Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system and play a role in targeting infected or cancerous cells, but they do not release histamine.
