What term describes the process that attracts white blood cells to an inflammatory site?

The process that attracts white blood cells to an inflammatory site is known as chemotaxis. This term specifically refers to the movement of cells toward a chemical stimulus, which in this context is the various signaling molecules released during inflammation. These chemicals, often referred to as chemokines, create a gradient that white blood cells can detect, guiding them to the site of injury or infection.

Chemotaxis is vital for the immune response, as it helps to ensure that adequate numbers of immune cells arrive at the necessary location to fight off pathogens and assist in the healing process. This targeted movement is an essential aspect of the immune system's ability to respond effectively to threats. Other processes such as phagocytosis involve the engulfment and destruction of pathogens by white blood cells, while diapedesis refers to the movement of cells through the walls of blood vessels to reach tissues. Conjugation is a term more commonly associated with bacterial genetics and reproduction rather than immune responses. Thus, chemotaxis is the correct term describing the attraction of white blood cells to areas of inflammation.