Which of the following is a mechanism by which neutrophils destroy microbial invaders?

• A. Presentation of antigens to T cells
• B. Secretion of interferons
• C. Phagocytosis followed by production of reactive oxygen species
• D. Antibody production

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of neutrophils in the immune system: Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell primarily involved in the innate immune response, acting as first responders to microbial invasion.
2. Recall the main mechanisms neutrophils use to destroy microbes: Neutrophils engulf pathogens through a process called phagocytosis, where the microbe is internalized into a vesicle called a phagosome.
3. Recognize what happens after phagocytosis: The phagosome fuses with lysosomes to form a phagolysosome, where reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enzymes are produced to kill and digest the engulfed microbes.
4. Differentiate neutrophil functions from other immune cells: For example, antigen presentation to T cells is mainly performed by dendritic cells and macrophages, interferon secretion is typical of virus-infected cells and some immune cells, and antibody production is a function of B cells.
5. Conclude that the mechanism by which neutrophils destroy microbial invaders is phagocytosis followed by the production of reactive oxygen species, which effectively kills the pathogens inside the neutrophil.