Monocytes are poorly phagocytic until stimulated to become more active by a progressing infection. At the infection site, the neutrophils are the first phagocytes to arrive. Later the monocytes leave the bloodstream and enter the site of the infection. When they do this, the monocytes enlarge and become macrophages. Mainly, the white blood cells known as neutrophils and the monocytes are the phagocytic cells.
Monocytes are poorly phagocytic until stimulated to become more active by a progressing infection.
At the infection site, the neutrophils are the first phagocytes to arrive. Later the monocytes leave the bloodstream and enter the site of the infection. When they do this, the monocytes enlarge and become macrophages. If not all of the bacteria are phagocytized at this site of the infection, they will enter the lymphatic system of the body. The lymphatic system consists of a large number of lymphatic vessels.