Final answer:
All given options, including the mouth, nose, respiratory tract, skin, hair, digestive tract, and genitourinary tract, are considered non-sterile zones of the body as they provide possible portals of entry or habitation for microorganisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The non-sterile zones of your body include areas where microbes can enter and inhabit. These spots are typically lined with mucosal surfaces, which are important portals of entry for pathogens. The options given are:
- Mouth, nose, and respiratory tract
- Skin and hair
- Digestive tract
- Genitourinary tract
Mucosal surfaces are found throughout the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract. Mucus secreted by these surfaces traps pathogens, and mechanisms such as coughing and sneezing help expel them from the body. Your skin and its appendages, like hair, can also be considered non-sterile areas due to the presence of normal flora and the emission of secretions such as sweat.
Answer: a) Mouth, nose, and respiratory tract, b) Skin and hair, c) Digestive tract, d) Genitourinary tract are all non-sterile zones of the body where pathogens could enter and/or inhabit.