Final answer:
MALT is a component of the immune system that provides a defense against pathogens in mucous membranes. It is involved in both capturing and presenting antigens to immune cells and in producing targeted immune responses that include the secretion of IgA antibodies to neutralize pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is part of the immune system that provides an essential defense in the mucous membranes lining various tracts within the body. Its main function is to protect these mucosal linings from invading pathogens. With its strategic placement in areas such as the gastrointestinal, respiratory, genital, and urinary tracts, MALT serves as a first line of defense.
MALT works by capturing and presenting antigens from potential pathogens to initiate an immune response. This includes substances inhaled or ingested that encounter the mucosal surfaces. Structures such as Peyer's patches, found in the small intestine, are central to these responses. Within these patches, specialized M cells transport antigens to underlying lymphoid tissue, where they activate immune cells, such as T cells and B cells, to produce a targeted response.