What Do White Blood Cells Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
4. Monocytes
Monocytes are the largest of all the white blood cells. When they detect a threat, monocytes will often change into another type of white blood cell: macrophages. Macrophages help deal with intruders by literally engulfing them. They will then digest them, destroying them in the process.
Macrophages will also attack cancer cells and debris if it recognizes that it should not be there. This means that, in addition to protecting us from pathogens, they will also protect us from cancer. This means that monocytes are also very important in helping to keep the body clean of debris such as dead cells.
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