The immune system and circulatory system work together when you get a small cut. An immune response called the inflammatory response takes place. Why does this response occur?

A) To aid in digestion for nutrients
B) To slow down blood flow
C) It is a defense against pathogens
D) It prevents another cut from occurring

The question asks why the inflammatory response occurs when you get a small cut. The inflammatory response is a crucial part of the immune system's defense against pathogens. When a cut occurs, mast cells at the site release histamines, which cause nearby capillaries to dilate. This allows immune cells such as neutrophils and monocytes to leave the bloodstream and reach the site of injury. Monocytes mature into macrophages, which, along with neutrophils, consume invading bacteria through a process called phagocytosis. This response is critical for preventing infection and initiating the healing process. Hence, the inflammatory response occurs as a defense against pathogens, making the correct answer C) it is a defense against pathogens.