What is the primary role of neutrophils in the immune system?

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell and are vital components of the innate immune system. Their primary role is phagocytosis, which is the process of engulfing and destroying pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi. Neutrophils are among the first responders to sites of infection or injury. They are equipped with various antimicrobial substances stored in granules, allowing them to effectively kill and digest pathogens following phagocytosis.

During an immune response, neutrophils move towards infection sites in a process known as chemotaxis. Once at the site of infection, they recognize and bind to pathogens, engulfing them through the cell membrane into a vesicle known as a phagosome. This structure then fuses with granules containing enzymes and reactive oxygen species that work to degrade and eliminate the engulfed pathogens.

The other options, while important functions in the immune response, do not pertain to the primary role of neutrophils. Antibody production is primarily the function of B lymphocytes, while antigen presentation is typically carried out by dendritic cells and macrophages. Complement activation involves a series of proteins that enhance the ability to clear microbes and damaged cells, but it is not the main role of neutrophils. Thus