In the mnemonic 'Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas,' which cell type corresponds to the third term?

In the mnemonic 'Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas,' which cell type corresponds to the third term?

• A. Basophils
• B. Monocytes
• C. Neutrophils
• D. Lymphocytes

Answer: (B)

Remembering the order of leukocytes by how common they are in peripheral blood is the key idea. The mnemonic Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas maps to neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils in that exact sequence. The third term, therefore, is monocytes. Monocytes are the largest white blood cells and go on to become macrophages, where they perform phagocytosis and present antigens, helping both innate and adaptive immunity. Basophils would be the last term, neutrophils the first term, and lymphocytes the second term.

Remembering the order of leukocytes by how common they are in peripheral blood is the key idea. The mnemonic Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas maps to neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils in that exact sequence. The third term, therefore, is monocytes. Monocytes are the largest white blood cells and go on to become macrophages, where they perform phagocytosis and present antigens, helping both innate and adaptive immunity. Basophils would be the last term, neutrophils the first term, and lymphocytes the second term.