Human Sweat Has Antimicrobial Activity Due To

Question

Human sweat has antimicrobial activity due to
A)production of an antimicrobial peptide called cathelicidins.
B)competition with normal sweat gland flora.
C)production of low molecular weight compounds that maintain an alkaline pH.
D)production of low molecular weight compounds that chelate free iron.

Accepted Answer

Human sweat contains an antimicrobial peptide called cathelicidins, which has been shown to exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Therefore, option A is the best choice. While options B, C, and D are also partially correct, they do not fully explain the antimicrobial activity of human sweat. Option B only refers to competition with normal sweat gland flora, while option C and D describe the role of low molecular weight compounds in maintaining an alkaline pH and chelating free iron, respectively, but these properties alone are not enough to explain the antimicrobial activity of sweat.