JOAN CARTAN-HANSEN: So now let’s talk about waste that help protect your body.

More than just sound can get into your ears. You produce ear wax to catch any dirt or other materials so they can’t get into your body. Ear wax also protects the skin keeping it moist and clean.

You should never put anything in your ear. Just washing your hair regularly should be enough to clean out any extra ear wax.

Snot or mucus protects your nose the way ear wax protects your ears. That sticky stuff is there to keep dust and other bad things from getting into your body. When you catch a cold [aachoo!] the mucus membranes, the things that make mucus, go into overdrive. All that goo traps the germs making you sick so you can get rid of them by swallowing them. Most of the mucus goes down to your stomach and the rest you drip or sneeze out.

[aachoo!]

CHILD: Now our mucus is 95% water, 2 to 3% salt and 2% mucin, a special kind of protein that is used to make some kinds of glue.

JOAN: Your eyes create tears to help wash away dirt and other unwanted objects from your eyes. They also keep your eyes moist.

And you sweat to help regulate your body temperature.

CHILD: And you vomit because your body wants to get rid of something, either bad food or a virus or a germ. It’s part of your body’s defense system trying to keep you healthy.

[vomit]

CHILD: So body wastes help prevent illness, cleans us from the inside out, protects us and helps us get rid of stuff our bodies don’t need.

Oh, excuse me!

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