Which white blood cells are generally larger than lymphocytes or neutrophils?

Which white blood cells are generally larger than lymphocytes or neutrophils?

• A. Eosinophils
• B. Neutrophils
• C. Monocytes
• D. Basophils

Answer: (C)

Monocytes are indeed larger than both lymphocytes and neutrophils, which is why this is the correct answer. They typically have a diameter of about 15-20 micrometers, making them one of the largest types of white blood cells. In terms of their function, monocytes are responsible for phagocytosis, meaning they can engulf and digest cellular debris, pathogens, and foreign substances. Once they migrate from the bloodstream into tissues, they can differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells, which play crucial roles in immune responses. Other types of white blood cells vary in size but do not surpass monocytes. Eosinophils, while also larger than lymphocytes, are generally smaller than monocytes. Neutrophils are one of the most abundant white blood cells and serve a vital role in combating infection, but they are smaller than monocytes. Basophils are the least common type of white blood cells and are also smaller than monocytes. These size distinctions help classify the different types of white blood cells based on their function and characteristics in the immune system.

Monocytes are indeed larger than both lymphocytes and neutrophils, which is why this is the correct answer. They typically have a diameter of about 15-20 micrometers, making them one of the largest types of white blood cells. In terms of their function, monocytes are responsible for phagocytosis, meaning they can engulf and digest cellular debris, pathogens, and foreign substances. Once they migrate from the bloodstream into tissues, they can differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells, which play crucial roles in immune responses.

Other types of white blood cells vary in size but do not surpass monocytes. Eosinophils, while also larger than lymphocytes, are generally smaller than monocytes. Neutrophils are one of the most abundant white blood cells and serve a vital role in combating infection, but they are smaller than monocytes. Basophils are the least common type of white blood cells and are also smaller than monocytes. These size distinctions help classify the different types of white blood cells based on their function and characteristics in the immune system.