Final answer:
The bactericidal action is primarily associated with mucous glands in the mouth that secrete lysozyme, an enzyme that destroys bacteria. Other chemical barriers such as sweat, mucus, and stomach acid also contribute to the body's defenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bactericidal action associated with certain glands in the body refers to the ability of these glands to produce substances that can kill bacteria. One such gland is the mucous gland in the mouth, which secretes saliva rich in the enzyme lysozyme. Lysozyme works by breaking down the cell walls of bacteria, ultimately leading to their destruction. This is part of the body's innate immune response, which acts as a first line of defense against pathogens that have breached other barrier defenses and have entered the vulnerable tissues of the body.
Moreover, other chemical barriers in the body such as sweat, mucus, tears, and acid secretions also play an essential role in preventing bacterial infections. For example, the acidic environment of the stomach can be fatal to many pathogens thanks to stomach acid and proteases, while sebaceous glands in the skin secrete acids that form a protective barrier. Mucus throughout the body also traps microbes and facilitates their removal, with ciliated epithelial cells in the respiratory tract moving contaminated mucus towards the mouth to be swallowed and destroyed in the stomach.