Which cell type is primarily responsible during an allergic reaction?

Prepare for the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) Exam. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and detailed explanations. Get exam-ready today!

Multiple Choice

Which cell type is primarily responsible during an allergic reaction?

Explanation:
The correct answer is that basophils are primarily responsible during an allergic reaction. Basophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a vital role in the immune system, particularly in allergic responses and inflammation. They are known to release histamine and other chemical mediators upon activation, which contributes to the symptoms associated with allergies, such as itching, swelling, and nasal congestion. During an allergic reaction, basophils can be triggered by allergens, leading to their degranulation and the release of substances that amplify the immune response. Additionally, they assist in recruiting other immune cells to the site of the allergic reaction, further enhancing the inflammatory process. This makes them key players in initiating and sustaining the allergic response. While eosinophils, lymphocytes, and neutrophils also play roles in immune responses, their specific functions are different. Eosinophils are primarily involved in combating parasitic infections and also help mediate allergic reactions, but they are not the initial responders. Lymphocytes are critical for adaptive immune responses and include T cells and B cells, which are involved in long-term immunity and antibody production, but they are not the first line of defense in immediate allergic reactions. Neutrophils are essential in fighting bacterial infections

The correct answer is that basophils are primarily responsible during an allergic reaction. Basophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a vital role in the immune system, particularly in allergic responses and inflammation. They are known to release histamine and other chemical mediators upon activation, which contributes to the symptoms associated with allergies, such as itching, swelling, and nasal congestion.

During an allergic reaction, basophils can be triggered by allergens, leading to their degranulation and the release of substances that amplify the immune response. Additionally, they assist in recruiting other immune cells to the site of the allergic reaction, further enhancing the inflammatory process. This makes them key players in initiating and sustaining the allergic response.

While eosinophils, lymphocytes, and neutrophils also play roles in immune responses, their specific functions are different. Eosinophils are primarily involved in combating parasitic infections and also help mediate allergic reactions, but they are not the initial responders. Lymphocytes are critical for adaptive immune responses and include T cells and B cells, which are involved in long-term immunity and antibody production, but they are not the first line of defense in immediate allergic reactions. Neutrophils are essential in fighting bacterial infections

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy