Question

An 11-year-old child falls and cuts his hand. The wound becomes infected. Bacteria extend into the extracellular matrix around capillaries. In the inflammatory response to this infection, which of the following cells removes the bacteria?

a) Macrophages
b) Neutrophils
c) Mast cells
d) T cells

Answer 1

Macrophages are the cells that remove bacteria in the inflammatory response.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell that removes bacteria during the inflammatory response is the macrophage.

When bacteria enter a wound, the inflammatory response is triggered. This response involves the release of chemicals that cause capillaries to dilate and become more permeable. These changes allow white blood cells, including macrophages, to leave the capillaries and move towards the site of infection or injury. Macrophages are specialized cells of the immune system that engulf and digest pathogens, including bacteria.

Once the macrophages have removed the bacteria, they play a role in the resolution of the inflamed site, cleaning up cell debris and restoring tissue health.