Which is a function of eosinophils?

Which is a function of eosinophils?

• A. Immunity to helminths
• B. Phagocytose bacteria rapidly
• C. Produce antibodies
• D. Secrete insulin

Answer: (A)

Eosinophils specialize in defense against multicellular parasites, especially helminths. They attack parasites by releasing cytotoxic granule proteins like major basic protein and eosinophil peroxidase, which damage the parasite’s surface. They also participate in antibody‑dependent cellular cytotoxicity when IgE coats a parasite, helping to target and kill it. This makes immunity to helminths the hallmark function of eosinophils. Their role isn’t rapid bacterial phagocytosis (that’s mainly neutrophils and macrophages), they don’t produce antibodies themselves (that’s B cells/plasma cells), and they don’t secrete insulin (that’s done by pancreatic beta cells).

Eosinophils specialize in defense against multicellular parasites, especially helminths. They attack parasites by releasing cytotoxic granule proteins like major basic protein and eosinophil peroxidase, which damage the parasite’s surface. They also participate in antibody‑dependent cellular cytotoxicity when IgE coats a parasite, helping to target and kill it. This makes immunity to helminths the hallmark function of eosinophils.

Their role isn’t rapid bacterial phagocytosis (that’s mainly neutrophils and macrophages), they don’t produce antibodies themselves (that’s B cells/plasma cells), and they don’t secrete insulin (that’s done by pancreatic beta cells).