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The correct choice is linked to the vascular phase of acute inflammation, during which the body responds to injury or infection by altering blood flow and increasing vascular permeability. In this phase, mast cells and basophils release histamine, a chemical mediator that causes vasodilation and increased permeability of the blood vessels. This allows essential immune cells and fluid to penetrate the affected tissues effectively, leading to redness and swelling associated with inflammation.

In contrast to the vascular phase, the cellular phase involves the migration of white blood cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, into the inflamed area to fight off pathogens and remove debris. The hyperemic phase refers to the increased blood flow to the inflamed area, a consequence of the initial vascular changes but not the specific phase in which histamine is released. The chronic phase refers to ongoing inflammation that can result from unresolved acute inflammation and typically does not involve the same initial mechanisms, including histamine release. Therefore, the vascular phase is distinctly characterized by the effects of histamine, setting the stage for subsequent biological responses in the inflammation process.