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This Cell Explodes To Trap Bacteria In A Net

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neutrophil · white blood cell · immune system · how the immune system works · neutrophil extracellular traps · DNA net

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When a splinter lets bacteria into your skin, a white blood cell called a neutrophil follows a chemical alarm and squeezes out of your blood vessel to swallow them. When there are too many bacteria, it bursts and throws out a sticky net made of its own DNA. The yellow pus in a pimple is mostly dead neutrophils like this one.

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