What is the role of the macrophage?

Answer 1

Macrophages attack foreign substances like toxins, bacteria, and viruses in the blood and tissue of the body by wrapping around and digesting them. They are small white blood cells that are part of the immune system.

Answer 2

The body has cells called phagocytes (phago = eat) and the chief ones are called macrophages (big eaters). Their role is to wander throughout the body's tissues in search of cellular debris, rubbish and foreign invaders. Imagine them to be a bit like the old computer game of Pacman. Once they find such an invader, for example a bacteria like E.coli, they will pull it towards them with long extensions, engulf it and destroy it. A macrophage, unlike other cells that kill invaders, will go on and kill again. Other cells are destroyed in the process.

Answer 3

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells in a process called phagocytosis. They also play a crucial role in initiating and regulating immune responses by presenting antigens to other immune cells.