The perplexity of boogers

I have written mostly about serious topics. Here, I want to add something silly I wrote in my notes while using Perplexity AI (using Llama).

My query to Perplexity AI:

How do boogers form? Isn't it weird that your nose can be clean and 1 hour later you have another booger? Well… mucus is a non-Newtonian liquid made of hydrated glycoprotein (mucin) matrices that undergo hydration and dehydration. With cyclic airflow that is lower humidity, you can accumulate highly viscous states of mucus as liquid mucus moves over and dries in areas with higher airflow. The viscosity is also influenced by pH and temperature which is why warm saline helps flush more viscous mucus by disrupting mucin-mucin interactions. Is this accurate?

Answer

Yes, your explanation captures the essential process of how boogers form and the factors influencing mucus viscosity. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Booger Formation

1. Mucus Production: The nasal passages continuously produce mucus, a non-Newtonian fluid composed of water, mucins, salts, and other components. Mucus serves to trap dust, pathogens, and other particles, preventing them from entering the respiratory system.

2. Hydration and Dehydration: As air flows through the nasal passages, it often has lower humidity than the mucus lining the nasal walls. This airflow can lead to the dehydration of mucus, causing it to become more viscous and eventually dry out, forming solid or semi-solid masses known as boogers.

3. Airflow and Humidity: Areas with higher airflow experience more rapid dehydration of mucus. This is why boogers often form in the front part of the nasal passages where airflow is greatest.

4. Viscosity Influences: The viscosity of mucus is affected by several factors:

   • pH and Temperature: Changes in pH and temperature can alter mucin-mucin interactions, affecting the viscosity of mucus. Warm saline solutions can help reduce mucus viscosity by disrupting these interactions, making it easier to flush out.

   • Shear Thinning: Mucus is a shear-thinning fluid, meaning its viscosity decreases under shear stress, such as when you blow your nose or use a saline rinse.

5. Environmental and Biological Factors: Environmental factors like dry air or allergens can increase mucus production and dehydration rates. Additionally, the body's immune response to pathogens can alter mucus composition and production.

Overall, the formation of boogers is a natural process resulting from the interaction of mucus with environmental conditions, airflow, and physiological factors. Your description accurately captures these dynamics and the role of mucus as a protective barrier in the nasal passages.