White Blood Cells Eat Disease-Causing Cells

White blood cells can "eat" disease-causing organisms inside the body. This process is called phagocytosis.

White blood cells that engulf pathogens:

Neutrophils – the first line of defense that quickly attacks bacteria and fungi.

Macrophages – large cells that engulf bacteria, viruses, dead cells, and foreign particles.

Monocytes – develop into macrophages after entering body tissues.

Dendritic cells – can also engulf pathogens and help activate the immune system.

What do they eat?

Bacteria

Fungi

Certain parasites

Damaged or dead body cells

Foreign particles that enter the body

After engulfing a pathogen, white blood cells destroy it using specialized enzymes and chemicals inside the cell.