Which white blood cells are primarily responsible for fighting viruses?

Lymphocytes are a critical component of the adaptive immune response, specifically targeting viral infections. There are two main types of lymphocytes involved in this process: B cells and T cells. B cells are responsible for producing antibodies that recognize and neutralize viruses, while T cells, particularly cytotoxic T cells, can directly kill virus-infected cells. This targeted approach allows the immune system to eliminate viruses effectively.

Eosinophils, neutrophils, and basophils have different primary functions; for instance, eosinophils are more involved in combating parasitic infections and allergies, neutrophils primarily target bacteria and fungi, and basophils play a role in inflammatory responses. Thus, lymphocytes are specifically suited for the task of fighting off viral infections, making them the correct answer in this context.