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Leukocytes
AKA White Blood Cells
What do Leukocytes actually do??? Here’s an example. While Red blood cells tend to flow smoothly through the bloodstream, white blood cellsdo not. Many of them adhere to blood vessel walls or even penetrate the walls toenter other tissues. When white blood cells reach the site of an infection or otherproblem, they release substances that attract more white blood cells. The white cellsfunction like an army, dispersed throughout the body but ready at a moment's notice togather and fight off an invading organism. Once the invader has been engulfed, theleukocyte releases enzymes to digest the microbe and the leukocyte itself. Theresult is the formation of pus, which is all that remains of this destruction.
White blood cells are fewer in number than Red
blood cells. There are about 660 RBCs for every 1
Leukocyte in your circulation. White blood cells
are also much larger than red blood cells and can
easily be identified by their darkly stained
nucleus.
There are FIVE main types of white blood cells
that work together to provide the body's defence
against infections.
Neutrophils
These are the most prevalent leukocyte. They
contain enzyme-filled granules, and are sometimes
called “granulocytes”. They ingest foreign material
and protect against bacterial and fungal infections.
Lymphocytes are the second most common
leukocyte. There are two main types: T
lymphocytes mature in the Thymus.They protect
against viral infections. B lymphocytes mature in
the Bone marrow and are responsible for
production of antibodies.
Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils are much
less prevalent, but each serves a specific purpose.
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Platelets (thrombocytes) are shown above as small yellow blobs next to RBCs. They are cell-like
particles smaller than red or white blood cells. They play a major role in clot formation. They become
activated at site of damage/bleeding. Once activated, they become sticky and clump together to form a
plug that helps seal the blood vessel. At the same time, they release substances that help promote
blood clotting.
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For an interesting visual comparison of relative sizes between
human hair, dust mites, ragweed pollen, leukocytes, erythrocytes,
bacteria, and virus particle, go to
http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm
OR
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/scale/ for a
more controlled simulator, capable of comparing everything from
a coffee bean down to a carbon atom.
Additional reading (and illustrations) on blood
components, check out the following sites.
http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/blood/blood.htm#17
http://anthro.palomar.edu/blood/blood_components.htm
If you’re interested in gaining additional perspective on the units
of measure (from kilometer down to nanometer), visit:
http://mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/nanoscale/index.html