Study for the Veterinary Assistant Test. Practice with multiple choice questions, review materials with insights, and understand key concepts to ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the primary function of white blood cells?

  1. Transport oxygen

  2. Clot blood

  3. Fight infections

  4. Carry nutrients

The correct answer is: Fight infections

The primary function of white blood cells, also known as leukocytes, is to fight infections. These cells are a vital component of the immune system, tasked with identifying and eliminating pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They play a crucial role in the body's defense mechanism by recognizing foreign invaders and orchestrating an immune response. Different types of white blood cells have specialized functions; for instance, neutrophils are rapid responders to infections, while lymphocytes (including T cells and B cells) are involved in adaptive immunity, providing long-lasting defense through memory and antibody production. The ability of white blood cells to track, attack, and destroy infectious agents is essential for maintaining health and preventing illness. The other options relate to different functions of other components of blood: red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen, platelets are involved in clotting, and plasma carries nutrients. This distinguishes the unique and vital role that white blood cells play in the immune response.