The first line of defense against pathogens includes:

A. Inflammation and phagocytosis

B. The skin and mucous membranes

C. Interferon and complement

D. Fever and lysozyme

E. Skin and phagocytosis

Answer: Option B

Explanation: The first line of defense acts a barrier and does not allows the foreign materials to enter inside the body. It includes chemical and physical barriers that are always ready to protect the body from infection.

Example: Skin and mucous membrane.

Skin is largest organ and it acts as a barrier between pathogens and human body. It acts a waterproof material and the pathogens cannot get inside through skin unless the skin is broken.

Mucous membranes also acts as first line of defense and breaks the cell wall of many bacteria entering through the openings of the body.

So, skin and mucous membrane are the first line of defense.