Question

enabled: biol 208 final exam 2025
considering the mechanisms of innate immunity, which of the following pairs is accurately matched?
multiple choice
eosinophil - recognize abnormal cells, such as cancer cells
interferons - assist antibodies in the destruction of pathogens
complement - slow the spread of viral infections
neutrophils - increase in number in response to bacterial infections

Explanation:

• Eosinophil: Their main role is in combating parasitic infections and are involved in allergic responses. Natural killer cells recognize abnormal cells like cancer cells.
• Interferons: They slow the spread of viral infections by signaling neighboring cells to boost their antiviral defenses. Antibodies are part of the adaptive immune system, and interferons are not directly assisting antibodies in pathogen destruction in the way described.
• Complement: It assists antibodies and phagocytic cells in the destruction of pathogens, opsonizes pathogens (marks them for phagocytosis), and can lyse some pathogens. It is not mainly for slowing viral spread (that's more interferons' role in innate immunity for viruses).
• Neutrophils: They are the most abundant type of white blood cell. They are the first - responders to bacterial infections. They increase in number (through processes like granulopoiesis in the bone marrow stimulated by cytokines) in response to bacterial infections and phagocytose bacteria.

Answer:

Neutrophils – increase in number in response to bacterial infections.