Question

Which one of the following granulocyte has following features?
Highly phagocytic; nucleus with three to five lobes; primary and secondary granules; limited life span:

• A. Eosinophil
• B. Mast cells
• C. Neutrophil
• D. Basophil

Hint:

When you see "multi-lobed nucleus" and "highly phagocytic," your first thought should always be \textbf{neutrophil}. They are the professional phagocytes of the innate immune system.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. The question asks to identify a specific granulocyte based on a list of key features.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the features and match them to the correct cell type:


Highly phagocytic: This points strongly to neutrophils, which are the most abundant phagocytes in the blood and are the first responders to bacterial infections.

Nucleus with three to five lobes: This multi-lobed or polymorphonuclear appearance is the most distinctive morphological feature of a mature neutrophil. Eosinophils typically have a bi-lobed nucleus, and basophils have a bi-lobed or S-shaped nucleus that is often obscured by granules.

Primary and secondary granules: Neutrophils contain different types of granules that are released at different stages of their response. Primary (azurophilic) granules contain myeloperoxidase and defensins, while secondary (specific) granules contain lactoferrin and other enzymes.

Limited life span: Neutrophils are very short-lived, surviving only for a few hours in the circulation and a few days in the tissues.

All these features perfectly describe a Neutrophil. Eosinophils are weakly phagocytic and have a bi-lobed nucleus. Basophils and Mast cells are not primarily phagocytic and are involved in allergic responses.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The granulocyte described by the features is the neutrophil.