Which cells are macrophages & microphages?

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Multiple Choice

Which cells are macrophages & microphages?

Macrophages and microphages are the phagocytes of the immune system. Macrophages are large tissue-based cells that derive from monocytes; they engulf pathogens and debris and can present antigens to help activate the adaptive immune response. Microphages refer to the smaller phagocytes, mainly neutrophils, which circulate in the blood and rapidly move to infection sites to ingest microbes. The other listed cell types aren’t phagocytes: lymphocytes drive adaptive immunity, erythrocytes carry oxygen, and platelets are involved in clotting. So identifying macrophages and microphages as the phagocytic cells makes sense.

Macrophages and microphages are the phagocytes of the immune system. Macrophages are large tissue-based cells that derive from monocytes; they engulf pathogens and debris and can present antigens to help activate the adaptive immune response. Microphages refer to the smaller phagocytes, mainly neutrophils, which circulate in the blood and rapidly move to infection sites to ingest microbes. The other listed cell types aren’t phagocytes: lymphocytes drive adaptive immunity, erythrocytes carry oxygen, and platelets are involved in clotting. So identifying macrophages and microphages as the phagocytic cells makes sense.

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