Blood Leukocytes Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering types, functions, and key terms related to white blood cells (leukocytes).

Granular leukocytes

White blood cells that include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Agranular leukocytes

White blood cells that include lymphocytes and monocytes.

Neutrophils

Active phagocytes that quickly respond to tissue damage.

Monocytes

Cells that enter tissues, enlarge, and differentiate into macrophages, which destroy microbes through phagocytosis.

Macrophages

Powerful phagocytes that destroy microbes and cellular disease.

Eosinophils

Cells that release histamines, phagocytize antigen-antibody complexes, and help defend against some parasitic worms.

Basophils

Cells that release heparin, histamine, and seratorin, intensify inflammation, and participate in allergic reactions.

B lymphocyte

Cells that help destroy bacteria and inactivate toxins.

T lymphocyte

Cells that attack viruses, fungi, transplanted cells, cancer cells, and some bacteria.

NK cells

Cells that attack infectious microbes and some tumor cells.

Cord-blood transplant

A transplant using stem cells collected from umbilical cord blood after birth, which is easy to store and less likely to cause graft vs host disease.

Graft vs host disease

A condition in which transplanted immune cells attack the recipient's tissue.

Leukecytosis

An abnormally high WBC count.

Leukopenia

An abnormally low WBC count.

Emigration

The movement of WBCs out of the bloodstream and into tissues.

Selectin

A cell adhesion molecule involved in helping WBCs attach and roll along the vessel wall.

Integrin

A cell adhesion molecule that helps WBCs firmly attach to the vessel wall before leaving the bloodstream.

Acute leukemia

Uncontrolled production of immature WBCs that crowds out normal bone marrow cells.

Chronic leukemia

Accumulation of mature WBCs because they do not die normally.