What is mucus?
Q: What is mucus?
A: Mucus, also known as slime, is a slippery liquid that is produced by many living things as a kind of biological lubricant.
Q: What are the components of mucus?
A: Mucus is mainly composed of polysaccharides, which are long-chain carbohydrates. These molecules are stiff when dry and sticky and slippery when wet.
Q: What role does mucus play in living things?
A: Mucus plays the role in living things which oil plays in machines. It protects against infection by fungi, bacteria and viruses, helps movement and plays a role in communication.
Q: Where is mucus produced in animals?
A: Mucus is produced in many parts of the body such as all the alimentary canal, nose and sexual organs. The surfaces are mostly internal surfaces though some animals have external mucus covering their bodies like slugs do.
Q: How does mucous get to the surface?
A: Mucous glands are exocrine glands so they pass their mucous to the surface along ducts.
Q: Are there any enzymes or immunoglobulins present in mucous?
A: Yes, there may be antiseptic enzymes (such as lysozymes) and immunoglobulins (antigens) present in mucous.
Q: In what organisms can we find mucous?
A:Mucous can be found in all types of organisms from bacteria to humans.
