Final answer:
The statement that 'Macrophages are phagocytes that initiate inflammation' is true. They are involved in both the body's innate and adaptive immune responses by performing phagocytosis, releasing inflammatory cytokines, and coordinating with other immune cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Macrophages are phagocytes that not only initiate inflammation but are also crucial for the body's immune response. When a pathogen breaches the body's defenses, macrophages are often the first to respond to prevent further infection. They do this by moving through tissues, engulfing pathogens via phagocytosis, and releasing cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory agents that aid in rallying other immune cells to the site of infection. These processes lead to the characteristic symptoms of inflammation: redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are part of the body's natural healing process.
Therefore, the statement that 'Macrophages are phagocytes that initiate inflammation' is true (a). Macrophages are found throughout the body in various tissues and take on different names such as Kupffer cells in the liver and histiocytes in connective tissue. They play a significant role in both innate and adaptive immune responses and can lead to chronic inflammation if they remain active in tissue after an infection passes.