Chapter 18, Lesson 4: Leukocytes

Flashcards from Chapter 18, Lesson 4 of McGraw Hill Anatomy and Physiology, Ninth Edition, by Kenneth S. Saladin.

Leukocytes

Another name for white blood cells, they are the least abundant and protect against disease and infection

Granulocytes

White blood cells with specific granules; these include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

Neutrophils

A type of granulocyte making up 60% to 70% of leukocytes with anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties

Eosinophils

A type of granulocyte with daily, seasonal, and menstrual fluctuations to counter abnormal conditions

Basophils

A type of granulocyte that aids in clotting with histamine (speeds flow of blood) and heparin (anticoagulant)

Agranulocytes

White blood cells that lack specific granules; these include lymphocytes and monocytes

Monocytes

A type of agranulocyte; is the largest type of leukocyte with kidney or horseshoe-shaped nucleus with phagocytization abilities for infections

Lymphocytes

A type of agranulocyte with a dark violet nucleus; destroys infections or responds to cancer and infected cells with antigens

Leukopoiesis

The production of white blood cells starting with stem cells in the red bone marrow

Granulocyte life span

Leave after 4-8 hours and live 4-5 days

Monocyte life span

Leave after 20 hours and live a few years

Lymphocyte life span

Live for decades with continuous reclamation

Leukopenia

Low leukocyte count (<5000 per microliter) caused by radiation, disease, or poison, causing higher infection rates

Leukocytosis

High leukocyte count (>10000 per microliter) caused by infection, allergies, or disease

Differential WBC count

Identifies percentage of each type of leukocyte

Leukemia

Cancer of blood-producing tissue causing many leukocytes; can disrupt cell balances and clotting

Myeloid leukemia

Uncontrolled granulocyte production

Lymphoid leukemia

Uncontrolled lymphocyte and monocyte production

Acute leukemia

Sudden appearance with rapid production, death within months

Chronic leukemia

Undetected for months with 3 year survival time

Complete blood count

Profile of data on hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC data, and RBC data