During the inflammatory stage of an infection, the first granulocyte to arrive at the site of inflammation is the?

• A. Thrombocyte
• B. Monocyte
• C. Basophil
• D. Neutrophil

Answer: (D)

In acute inflammation, the first cellular responders are neutrophils, a type of granulocyte. They are rapidly recruited from the bloodstream to the site of infection in response to chemotactic signals released at the injury or infection site. Once there, neutrophils quickly engulf and destroy bacteria and debris through phagocytosis and release of antimicrobial substances. Their abundance and rapid mobilization make them the dominant early infiltrating leukocytes.

Thrombocytes (platelets) are involved in clotting and help seal the wound, not in the immediate cellular attack on invaders. Monocytes arrive later and differentiate into macrophages to clean up debris and continue the immune response. Basophils participate in histamine release and allergic responses, not the initial bacterial attack.