Which salivary gland–secreted peptide acts in the oral cavity to inhibit fungi by disrupting intracellular function?

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Prepare for your Microbial Growth Phases, Oxygen Needs, and Immunity Types Test. Use our multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations for each answer to enhance your understanding and ensure success!

Multiple Choice

Which salivary gland–secreted peptide acts in the oral cavity to inhibit fungi by disrupting intracellular function?

Explanation:
Histatins are salivary gland–secreted peptides that defend the mouth against fungi. Histatin 5, the most potent member, acts by entering fungal cells and crippling their internal machinery, especially disrupting mitochondrial function and energy production, which leads to fungal death. This intracellular disruption is what makes histatins the best match for inhibiting fungi in the oral cavity. Other options are different antimicrobial peptides or cytokines that don't share this specific intracellular antifungal action in saliva.

Histatins are salivary gland–secreted peptides that defend the mouth against fungi. Histatin 5, the most potent member, acts by entering fungal cells and crippling their internal machinery, especially disrupting mitochondrial function and energy production, which leads to fungal death. This intracellular disruption is what makes histatins the best match for inhibiting fungi in the oral cavity. Other options are different antimicrobial peptides or cytokines that don't share this specific intracellular antifungal action in saliva.

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