Question:
Which of the following is not a phagocytic cell?
Which of the following is not a phagocytic cell?
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Remember that Plasma cells are effector B-cells whose only job is humoral immunity (secreting antibodies). They do not physically engulf pathogens; instead, they mark them for destruction by professional phagocytes.
Updated On: Aug 3, 2026
- Plasma cell
- Macrophage
- Neutrophil
- Eosinophil
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Phagocytosis is an essential cellular defense mechanism where specialized immune cells engulf and digest foreign particles, cellular debris, and pathogens.
Phagocytic cells are generally categorized as professional or non-professional phagocytes based on their primary immune functions.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the physiological roles of the listed cells:
- Plasma cells: These are fully differentiated B-lymphocytes that function exclusively as antibody factories. Their sole role is to synthesize and secrete large quantities of highly specific immunoglobulins into the bloodstream and tissue fluids. They completely lack the receptors and cellular machinery (such as pseudopodia and phagolysosomes) required for engulfing external particles. Therefore, plasma cells are entirely non-phagocytic.
- Macrophages: These are professional mononuclear phagocytes derived from blood monocytes. They are highly efficient at engulfing and digesting pathogens, cell debris, and foreign matter.
- Neutrophils: These are professional polymorphonuclear granulocytes that serve as the first line of defense against bacterial infections, utilizing rapid phagocytosis and oxidative burst.
- Eosinophils: While primarily involved in fighting helminthic infections and mediating allergic responses, they also possess weak phagocytic capabilities, particularly against antigen-antibody complexes.
Therefore, the plasma cell is the only cell among the options that is completely non-phagocytic.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The cell that is not a phagocytic cell is the Plasma cell, corresponding to option (A).
Phagocytosis is an essential cellular defense mechanism where specialized immune cells engulf and digest foreign particles, cellular debris, and pathogens.
Phagocytic cells are generally categorized as professional or non-professional phagocytes based on their primary immune functions.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the physiological roles of the listed cells:
- Plasma cells: These are fully differentiated B-lymphocytes that function exclusively as antibody factories. Their sole role is to synthesize and secrete large quantities of highly specific immunoglobulins into the bloodstream and tissue fluids. They completely lack the receptors and cellular machinery (such as pseudopodia and phagolysosomes) required for engulfing external particles. Therefore, plasma cells are entirely non-phagocytic.
- Macrophages: These are professional mononuclear phagocytes derived from blood monocytes. They are highly efficient at engulfing and digesting pathogens, cell debris, and foreign matter.
- Neutrophils: These are professional polymorphonuclear granulocytes that serve as the first line of defense against bacterial infections, utilizing rapid phagocytosis and oxidative burst.
- Eosinophils: While primarily involved in fighting helminthic infections and mediating allergic responses, they also possess weak phagocytic capabilities, particularly against antigen-antibody complexes.
Therefore, the plasma cell is the only cell among the options that is completely non-phagocytic.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The cell that is not a phagocytic cell is the Plasma cell, corresponding to option (A).
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