White Blood Cell and Lymphocyte Essentials

These flashcards cover the three classes of lymphocytes, white blood cell count terminology, and the specific pathways and factors involved in leukopoiesis and lymphocytopoiesis as described in the lecture.

T cells

Cells responsible for cell-mediated immunity that attack foreign cells or control other lymphocytes.

B cells

Cells responsible for humoral immunity that differentiate into plasma cells and synthesize antibodies.

Natural killer (NK) cells

Cells that detect and destroy abnormal cells, functioning in immune surveillance.

Leukopenia

A condition characterized by a low white blood cell count.

Leukocytosis

A condition characterized by a high white blood cell count.

Leukemia

A diagnosis or precursor condition indicated by substantial rises in white blood cell counts.

Lymphocytopoiesis

The production of lymphocytes from lymphoid stem cells.

Hemocytoblast

Hematopoietic stem cells that differentiate into myeloid and lymphoid stem cells.

Myeloid stem cells

Stem cells that divide to produce progenitor cells, giving rise to all formed elements except lymphocytes.

Lymphoid stem cells

Stem cells that differentiate into lymphoblasts and ultimately produce lymphocytes.

CSF

Stands for colony stimulating factors, which are involved in the production of blood cells.

Multi-CSF

A colony stimulating factor that accelerates the production of red blood cells, platelets, monocytes, and granulocytes.

GM-CSF

A colony stimulating factor that targets granulocyte and monocyte production only.

G-CSF

A colony stimulating factor that targets granulocyte production only.

M-CSF

A colony stimulating factor that targets monocyte production only.

Myeloblasts

Blast cells that produce only granulocytes (basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils).

Monoblasts

Blast cells that produce only monocytes.

Leukopoiesis

The general process of white blood cell production.