Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.

Plasmodium, a tiny protozoan is responsible for the disease malaria. Different species of Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. malaria and P. falciparum) are responsible for different types of malaria. Of these, malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious one and can even be fatal. Innate immunity consist of four types of barriers. These are- (i) Physical barriers- skin on our body is the main barrier which prevents entry of the micro-organisms. (ii) Physiological barriers- Acid in the stomach, saliva in the mouth, tears from eyes-all prevent microbial growth. (iii) Cellular barriers- Certain types of leukocytes (WBC) of our body like polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes (PMNL-neutrophils) and monocytes and natural killer (type of lymphocytes) in the blood as well as macrophages in tissues can phagocytose and destroy microbes. (iv) Cytokine barriers- virus-infected cells secrete proteins called interferons which protect non-infected cells from further viral infection. Allergy is due to the release of chemicals like histamine and serotonin from the mast cells. The use of drugs like anti-histamine, adrenalin and steroids quickly reduce the symptoms of allergy. Drugs like barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other similar drugs, that are normally used as medicines to help patients cope with mental illnesses like depression and insomnia, are often abused.

Which one of the followings is not an example of physiological barriers?

Interferons

The correct answer is Option (2) → Interferons

Innate immunity is non-specific type of defence, that is present at the time of birth. This is accomplished by providing different types of barriers to the entry of the foreign agents into our body. Innate immunity consist of four types of barriers. These are:

Physical barriers : Skin on our body is the main barrier which prevents entry of the micro-organisms. Mucus coating of the epithelium lining the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts also help in trapping microbes entering our body.

Physiological barriers : Acid in the stomach, saliva in the mouth, tears from eyes–all prevent microbial growth.

Cytokine barriers : Virus-infected cells secrete proteins called interferons which protect non-infected cells from further viral infection.

Cellular barriers : Certain types of leukocytes (WBC) of our body like polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes (PMNL-neutrophils) and monocytes and natural killer (type of lymphocytes) in the blood as well as macrophages in tissues can phagocytose and destroy microbes.