What type of blood cells are involved in combating infections?

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, play a crucial role in the immune system and are primarily responsible for combating infections. They are specifically designed to detect and eliminate pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. There are several types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, each with distinct functions in the immune response.

For instance, neutrophils are often the first responders to sites of infection and quickly migrate to destroy invaders through phagocytosis. Lymphocytes, particularly T cells and B cells, are integral in orchestrating the adaptive immune response, with B cells generating antibodies to neutralize specific pathogens.

Other cell types mentioned, like red blood cells, do not engage in combatting infections; instead, they are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Platelets are involved in blood clotting and not in immune responses. Plasma cells are a differentiated form of B cells that produce antibodies, but they are a subset of white blood cells and not a general category of blood cells involved in combating infections. Therefore, the primary function of white blood cells aligns directly with the body’s defense mechanism against infections, confirming their essential role