Why do we have mucus?
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Depends where you’re referring to.
If it’s the nose and nasopharynx (back of the nose) and upper respiratory tract the mucous has multiple functions like
1. keeping the cells on the surface from drying out and dying from dryness.
2. Capture chemicals in the air so they can bind to the receptors in your nose and you can smell stuff
3. Act as a glue trap to dust and other particles and filter the air that enters your lungs.
If you’re referring to the stomach or intestines, it acts as a protective coating so that even if the food you ate was a little rough, the material passes through easily. Not to mention, the mucus helps protect from the acidic nature of the stomach acid as well as the basic nature of the pancreatic juices.
Edit: in the anus, it helps you poop more smoothly. And in the vagina and penis, it helps lubricate the way to facilitate reproduction.
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