Ode to mucus

Ode to mucus
The slime of life

Chemically only slightly different from tears, the much maligned mucus elicits revulsion rather than sympathy. A child with a tear stained face produces a heart wrenching emotion. A child with a drippy snot nose produces a gut wrenching response. A lover will kiss the tears from the face of his beloved, but never will he kiss away the liquid slipping from her nose. Oh the difference a small amount of protein can make.

Mucus is water, inorganic salts, and mucin, a super hero-like protein that acts as protector of the weak. It functions as lubricant, shield and sentry. Mucus shields the respiratory system of a host of airborne contaminants and coats the digestive organs to protect them from themselves. Mucus also shields the reproductive organs and cells. But, as this essay is rated for general audience, the usefulness in that capacity shall be left for another discussion.

Without the mucus lining on the digestive system, the acid needed to digest food would voraciously eat ourselves. The option of being unable to digest meat is rather undesirable but far less so is the idea of that meat being our own small intestine. This evolutionary quandary could have resulted in a stalemate except for the majestic mal-absorbed mucus. Where typical protein quickly surrenders to the enzymatic scrubbing of digestion, mucus resists and gallantly refuses to break down into smaller, digestible morsels. Thus, a coating, a shield, a suit of armor surrounds the internal digestive tract and allows for the intake of food.

In the respiratory system, the humble mucus has a delightfully different position. It functions as sentry against an invading army. Airborne pathogens are rampant. Lung tissue is assaulted daily by virus, bacteria, pollen, dust, skin cells, pet dander, dust mites, chemicals and compounds that could kill the innocent victim. Rising to the need, the ever active, vivacious mucus repels the barrage and neutralizes the assailant. Mucus contains white blood cells that are capable of recognizing many viral and bacterial invasions. These white blood cells surround the scoundrel. The protein encapsulates the pair, and another body is saved. A similar battle tactic is taken when dust, pollen, chemical compounds etc are the attacker. But, in those cases the mucin alone fights the battle. Alone against a storm tossed sea of villains the mucin lures the unsuspecting reprobate in for a date with a "black widow spider". The miscreants check in, but they never check out.

The unfortunate ending to the valiant battle fought by mucin is a thickening and discoloration will occur. The coloration of the mucus can become white, yellow, green, brown or even a bright red when the battle has been decidedly bloody. The once proud slippery mucus becomes sticky and thick. Nasal passages once protected and cleansed by mucus become filled with snot. The nasal passage overflows and phlegm drips down the throat into the stomach. Even here, there is no redemption. It cannot be digested,. Rejected even in the stomach, nausea ensues.

Ode to Vomit
The recycling of life …...