Which leukocyte type constitutes the highest percentage of total white blood cells in human peripheral blood and acts as the primary phagocytic defense against bacterial infections?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Neutrophils constitute roughly 60 to 70 percent of total circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary cellular defense against acute bacterial infections through active phagocytosis. Lymphocytes primarily orchestrate adaptive immunity, whereas eosinophils and basophils deal mainly with parasitic infections and allergic reactions respectively. A significant elevation in neutrophil count, known as neutrophilia, typically indicates an active bacterial infection in clinical diagnostics.