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Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses
Chapter 20, Problem 2

The process by which neutrophils squeeze through capillary walls in response to inflammatory signals is called a. diapedesis, b. chemotaxis, c. margination, d. opsonization.

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1
Identify the key terms in the question: neutrophils, capillary walls, inflammatory signals.
Understand the role of neutrophils: they are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.
Recognize the process described: neutrophils moving through capillary walls to reach the site of inflammation.
Review the definitions of the options: diapedesis, chemotaxis, margination, opsonization.
Determine which term specifically describes the movement of neutrophils through capillary walls.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Diapedesis

Diapedesis is the process by which white blood cells, particularly neutrophils, move out of the bloodstream and into tissues. This occurs when they squeeze through the endothelial cells of capillaries in response to inflammatory signals, allowing them to reach sites of infection or injury.
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Chemotaxis

Chemotaxis refers to the movement of cells toward or away from chemical signals. In the context of inflammation, neutrophils are attracted to the site of injury or infection by various signaling molecules, guiding their movement to where they are needed most.
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Margination

Margination is the process by which leukocytes, including neutrophils, move to the periphery of blood vessels during inflammation. This positioning allows them to adhere to the endothelium and prepare for diapedesis, facilitating their exit from the bloodstream into the affected tissue.
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