A blood cell with reddish staining granules and the ability to kill large parasites describes which cell type?

A blood cell with reddish staining granules and the ability to kill large parasites describes which cell type?

• A. neutrophils
• B. eosinophils
• C. basophils
• D. monocytes

Answer: (B)

Eosinophils are granulocytes whose granules stain reddish-orange with the eosin dye, and they specialize in defense against large parasites such as helminths by releasing toxic granule proteins like major basic protein onto the parasite surface. This anti-parasitic mechanism is a hallmark of eosinophils, and they also help regulate allergic inflammation. Neutrophils have neutral-staining granules and primarily kill bacteria; basophils have dark-staining granules rich in histamine; monocytes are larger cells that become macrophages and focus on phagocytosis. So the description fits eosinophils.

Eosinophils are granulocytes whose granules stain reddish-orange with the eosin dye, and they specialize in defense against large parasites such as helminths by releasing toxic granule proteins like major basic protein onto the parasite surface. This anti-parasitic mechanism is a hallmark of eosinophils, and they also help regulate allergic inflammation. Neutrophils have neutral-staining granules and primarily kill bacteria; basophils have dark-staining granules rich in histamine; monocytes are larger cells that become macrophages and focus on phagocytosis. So the description fits eosinophils.