Final answer:
Phagocytes are the first defensive cells that arrive at the site of infection and their name means "eating cells." They come in different types, such as neutrophils and macrophages, and their main role is to engulf and destroy pathogens in a process called phagocytosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first defensive cells on the scene are phagocytes, which literally means "eating cells." There are different types of phagocytes, including neutrophils, macrophages, and mast cells. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells and break down after they devour a pathogen. Macrophages come from white blood cells that have moved out of the bloodstream into tissues, and they can phagocytize a substantial number of pathogens. Some phagocytes float around looking for pathogens, while others stay in one spot.