Final answer:
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell whose primary function is phagocytosis, the ingestion and destruction of pathogens. They are produced in large quantities by the bone marrow and are essential for the body's initial response to infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major function of neutrophils is phagocytosis. Neutrophils are a type of leukocyte, or white blood cell, that are part of the body's first line of defense against infections. They travel through the bloodstream to sites of infection, where they help in the removal of bacteria by ingesting and destroying them. Neutrophils are capable of phagocytizing only a limited number of pathogens before dying, which is why the body produces a large number of them daily. The bone marrow of a healthy adult, under normal conditions, produces billion neutrophils per day, and this number can increase even further in cases of acute inflammation.
In summary, the function of neutrophils includes being one of the earliest immune cells to respond to infection by phagocytizing pathogens, leading to their destruction and removal from the body. Neutrophils also produce cytokines, which aid in their phagocytic activities and help other immune cells recognize and attack foreign material.