What happens during the lifecycle of a neutrophil when an infection is present?

When an infection occurs, the body responds by increasing the production of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell essential for fighting infections. The bone marrow does not solely rely on mature neutrophils; it also releases immature forms known as band cells into circulation. This increase is a result of the body's need for an enhanced immune response, leading to a higher demand for neutrophils to combat invading pathogens.

The release of immature neutrophils is a key component of the body's response to infection because these cells can quickly mature in circulation, allowing for a rapid increase in the overall neutrophil count and bolstering the immune defense. This process is critical during times of acute infection when more neutrophils are needed than what is available from the mature pool alone.

In contrast, the options suggesting that only mature neutrophils would be released, or that neutrophil production ceases or remains unchanged, do not take into account the body's adaptive response to infection. The need for additional neutrophils necessitates the release of all available forms from the bone marrow, including those still in development.