Hematology BOC Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

Neutrophil phagocytosis is a key host defense process where neutrophils ingest bacteria and then destroy them. The killing happens inside the phagolysosome through reactive oxygen species and antimicrobial enzymes released from granules. In addition to killing, these cells degranulate, releasing their antimicrobial contents to attack bacteria both inside the cell and at the site of infection. This combination—ingestion, intracellular killing, and release of granule contents—is what makes this process effective against bacteria. In contrast, defending against parasites is more the domain of eosinophils, and mediating sensitivity reactions or neutralizing mast cell products are functions not primarily carried out by neutrophils.