Leukocytes or White Blood Cells

Leukocytes or White Blood Cells

Term for a collection of cells used for an immune response

what are the 5 key white blood cells

• Neutrophils

• Eosinophils

• Basophils

• Lymphocytes

• Monocytes

Granular Leukocytes or Granulocytes

• Neutrophils

• Eosinophils

• Basophils

Neutrophils

• First line of defense, very common

• Phagocytes

Eosinophils

• Specialist cells

• Particularly fungal or parasite infections

• Uncommon

Basophils

• “Multi-functional”

• Release histamine or heparin

• Very rare (1%)

Agranular Leukocytes

• Lymphocytes

• Monocytes

what are the main immune cells

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes: B- Cells

produce antibodies

Lymphocytes: T- cells

guide/direct the immune system

Monocytes

phagocytic cells and communicators

• Become macrophages or dendritic cells

Leukopoiesis

formation of white blood cells

what is Leukopoiesis regulated by

cytokine molecules

Leukopenia

• Abnormally low WBCs

• Common side effect from cancer radiation

Leukocytosis

• Abnormally high WBCs

• Common during inflammation due to cytokines

Leukemia

• Cancer of the bone marrow

• Abnormally high amount of immature white blood cells in the blood