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GCSE Biology · key term
Tiny hair-like structures on some airway cells that beat to move mucus towards the throat.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.3.1.6 · Paper 1
Tiny hair-like structures on specialised cells that move mucus towards the throat.
Revise: Human Defence SystemsThe cilia beat and move the pathogen-containing mucus upwards towards the back of the throat. The mucus can then be swallowed rather than remaining in the lungs.
Specification 1.2, 5.12 · Paper 1, Paper 2
Short, hair-like projections that beat to move material over the surface of an epithelial cell.
Revise: Specialised CellsCiliated epithelial cells have many short, hair-like cilia projecting from their exposed surface. The cilia beat in coordinated waves, sweeping material in one direction over the cells.
Tiny hair-like structures on cells lining the airways that move mucus towards the throat.
Specification B6.3k · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: Non-specific defence systemsTiny cilia on the airway lining beat to move this mucus upwards towards the back of the throat, where it can be swallowed. Trapping a pathogen is most useful when the mucus is then moved away from the lungs.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
Microscopic, hair-like structures on some cells that beat to move mucus.
Revise: Non-specific DefencesCells lining the trachea and bronchi also produce mucus. Their cilia beat to move the pathogen-containing mucus upwards towards the throat, where it can be swallowed rather than reaching deeper into the lungs. Mucus is therefore a physical defence because it traps pathogens, while cilia help to remove the trapped material.
When asked to describe a defence, name the structure and state how it prevents or destroys pathogens: for example, mucus traps pathogens and cilia move the mucus towards the throat.
Do not confuse cilia with mucus. Mucus is the sticky substance that traps pathogens; cilia are hair-like structures on cells that move the mucus.
Do not confuse cilia with microvilli: cilia move material over a cell surface, whereas microvilli increase surface area and do not beat.
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