🦠 Interferons & Innate Immunity

Let’s understand this in a very simple way.

What are interferons?
Interferons are special proteins released by virus-infected cells to protect the body.

They help by stopping the spread of viruses to other cells.

Which type of barrier are they?
Interferons act as chemical messengers between cells.

✅ Correct Answer: (c) Cytokine barriers

Why cytokine barrier?
Interferons belong to a group called cytokines.

👉 Cytokines are signaling proteins that help cells communicate during immune response.

Why other options are not correct?

• (a) Physical barriers → ❌ Skin, mucous membranes
• (b) Physiological barriers → ❌ pH, temperature, enzymes
• (d) Cellular barriers → ❌ WBCs like macrophages

Simple Exam Trick:
Interferon → Protein signal → Cytokine

📌 Note: Interferons play a key role in early (innate) immune defense against viral infections.

💚 Exam Objective Nursing – Asha D
Concept clarity • Easy recall • Nursing success