Question

An individual is infected withMycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria infect macrophages in the lungs, where it survives and reproduces intracellularly. What is the most likely mechanism the infected macrophages will use to combat the invading bacteria?A. autophagyB. extravasationC. opsonizationD. degranulation

Answer 1

Autophagy is the mechanism which will be used by the infected macrophages to combat the invading bacteria.

Step-by-step explanation:

The macrophages undergo autophagy to combat with the intracellular pathogens. The invading bacteria grow, survive and reproduce intracellularly in the organs like lungs affected by tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis invasion.

To combat these intracellular pathogens, the macrophage surrounds the microbes by creating a double walled membrane around them and creating the autophagosome. The suicidal bag of the cells – lysosomes engulf the autophagosome with the pathogen and will destroy it.