Unit 3 Note Summary

What is leukon?

The collective term for all types of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the blood.

What are the two groups of leukocytes based on granules?

Granulocytes and agranulocytes.

Which leukocytes fall into the granulocyte group?

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

What is the term for the development of white blood cells?

Leukopoiesis.

What are the three stages of granulocyte development?

Myeloblast, promyelocyte, and myelocyte.

What is a macrophage?

A differentiated form of monocyte that cleans up necrotic tissue and processes antigens.

What are the three stages of monocyte development?

Monoblast, promonocyte, and monocyte.

What is the function of neutrophils?

Primary defense against bacterial infections through ingestion, killing, and digestion of microorganisms.

What is neutrophilia?

Increased production or release of neutrophils from the bone marrow.

What role do eosinophils play in the immune response?

They are prominent in hypersensitivity reactions and in response to parasitic infections.

What are the symptoms of basophils?

Release histamines and heparin that contribute to allergic reactions and prevent clot formation.

What characterizes a left shift in neutrophils?

An increased number of immature neutrophils in the blood, indicating an increased demand for WBCs.

Define leukopenia. How is it often caused?

A decrease in WBC counts, often caused by a decrease in neutrophils.

What is the significance of a stress response in leukocytes?

Characterized by lymphopenia, mild mature neutrophilia, eosinopenia, and mild monocytosis.

What does a lymphocyte do?

Monitors for antigens and can differentiate into T cells (cell-mediated response) or B cells (humoral immunity).

What defines the excitation response in leukocytes?

An increase in neutrophils and lymphocytes due to epinephrine release during stress.

Identify two systems used to categorize WBCs. What is their purpose?

Phagocytic and immunocytic systems; they categorize leukocytes based on their function in immune response.

What is the interpretation of a leukon response during inflammation?

Indicates whether there is active inflammation, a stress response, excitement response, or evidence of tissue necrosis.

What is indicated by eosinophilia?

Allergic reactions or parasitic infections.

What are the characteristics of toxic neutrophils?

Larger size, blue cytoplasmic inclusions, cytoplasmic basophilia, and foamy appearance.

What is hypersegmented neutrophils?

Neutrophils with 5 or more nuclear separations, indicating an extended period in circulation.