All of the following are major differences between macrophages & neutrophils except which of these answers?

• A. Macrophages can perform phagocytosis while neutrophils cannot.
• B. Macrophages kill microbes by 'eating' them. Neutrophils kill microbes with hydrolytic enzymes and/or phagocytosis.
• C. Neutrophils circulate the bloodstream while resident macrophages reside in tissues.
• D. Neutrophils are granulocytes while macrophages are agranulocytes.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the roles of macrophages and neutrophils in the immune system. Macrophages are large phagocytic cells that reside in tissues and are involved in the detection and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that circulates in the bloodstream and are the first responders to microbial infection.
2. Examine the phagocytic capabilities of both macrophages and neutrophils. Both cell types can perform phagocytosis, which is the process of engulfing and digesting pathogens. Therefore, the statement that macrophages can perform phagocytosis while neutrophils cannot is incorrect.
3. Consider the location of these cells in the body. Neutrophils are typically found circulating in the bloodstream, ready to migrate to sites of infection, whereas macrophages are resident cells found in tissues throughout the body.
4. Differentiate between granulocytes and agranulocytes. Neutrophils are classified as granulocytes due to the presence of granules in their cytoplasm that contain enzymes and antimicrobial proteins. Macrophages, on the other hand, are agranulocytes, meaning they lack these granules.
5. Review the mechanisms of microbial killing. Neutrophils use hydrolytic enzymes contained within their granules to kill microbes, and they can also perform phagocytosis. Macrophages primarily kill microbes through phagocytosis, engulfing and digesting them.