White blood cells are different from red blood cells in the fact that they are usually larger in size 10-14 micrometres in diameter. White blood cells do not contain hemoglobin which in turn makes them translucent . Many times in diagram or pictures white blood cells are represented in a blue colour, mainly because blue is the colour of the stain used to see the cells . White blood cells also have nuclei ; that are some what segmented and are surrounded by electron inside the membrane .
White blood cells
- What are white blood cells ?
White blood cells are made in the bone marrow but they also divide in the blood and lymphatic systems. They are commonly amoeboid ( cells that move or feed ) by means of temporary projections , called pseudopods ( false feet ) and escape the circulatory system through the capillary beds . They help the body to fight infection and other diseases . White blood cells also called as leukocytes or white blood corpuscles .It is a cellular components of blood which have absent hemoglobin and present nucleus .
- What are the main role of white blood cells ?
They protect against illness and disease. Think of white blood cells as your immunity cells . They flow through your bloodstream to fight viruses , bacteria and other foreign invader that threaten your health .
- How do white blood cells fight infection ?
White blood cells are detect and deal with infections or foreign molecules that are enter in our body . White blood cells are produce antibodies to fight the infection and help with other immune response .
Shape of WBCs
- What is shape of white blood cells ?
The WBCs are rounded or irregular cells. They can change their shape and are capable of amoeboid movement . This enables them to squeeze out of capillaries into the tissues. Thus process is called diapedesis .
- What are the size of white blood cells ?
Number of white blood cells
- What is the normal range of WBC ?
The WBCs are far fewer than the RBCs . Their number varies from 6,000 to 8,000 per cubic milimeter of blood . This number is the total count of WBCs .
- What does an abnormal white blood count mean ?
- What does a low white blood count mean ?
Fall or low in WBC count is termed leucopenia . It occurs in conditions such as folic acid deficiency , infection of AIDS virus . WBC count is useful in diagnosing diseases.
- What is the symptoms of low white blood cells ?
When your white blood cell count is low may not have any signs and symptoms when developing an infection such as :- Redness , swelling , pus formation (when injury in your body) , cough , sputum , nasal drainage ( respiratory infections ) etc.
- What diseases affect white blood cells ?White blood cells disorder in human body are
- LYMPHOMA :- Lymphoma is a blood cancer that occur in human body’s lymphatic system .
- LEUKAEMIA :- Leukaemia is a blood cancer in which malignant white blood cells multiply inside our bone marrow ; possible cause include genetic predisposition ,smoking , and chemical or radiation exposure .
- LEUKOCYTOSIS :- Leukocytosis is an increased number of white blood cells . It’s causes include bacterial or viral infections , certain medications, allergies , smoking , inflammatory diseases , autoimmune disorder, genetic condition and cancer .
- CHRONIC GRANULOMATOUS DISEASES :- This is a disorder where multiple types of WBCs such as ,neutrophils,monocytes , macrophages lymphocytes are unable to function properly . It is an inherited condition and result in multiple infections .
Colour
- What is colour of white blood cells ?
Structure
- How does white blood cells structure ?
Formation
Life span and Disposal
- What is the lifespan and disposal of white blood cells ?
Types of white blood cells
- How many types of white blood cells are there ?
- Agranulocytes
These leucocytes lack granules in the cytoplasm and have nonlobed, rounded or oval nucleus . Agranulocytes are called mononuclear cells . They have 2 subtypes : monocytes and lymphocytes . The monocytes arise in the bone marrow. The B and T lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow and thymus respectively , and mature in spleen and lymph nodes . Formation of agranulocytes is termed agranulopoiesis .
2. Granulocytes
These leucocytes contain granules in the cytoplasm and have lobed nucleus. They are produced in the red bone marrow . Formation of granulocytes is called granulopoiesis . They have 3 subtypes : basophils , eosinophils and neutrophils .
- What is monocytes in WBCs ?
These are the largest of all types of leucocytes . They have a large , subrounded or bean- shaped nucleus and good amount of cytoplasm . They are very motile. They are phagocytic in action , and engulf bacteria and cellular debris . Generally they change into macrophages after entering tissue spaces .
- What is lymphocytes in WBCs ?
These are about the size of the red corpuscles. They have a very large , rounded nucleus and scanty cytoplasm . They are non motile and non phagocytic . They secrete antibodies to destroy microbes and their toxins, reject grafts and kill tumor cells . They also help in healing of injuries. The lymphocytes differentiate into 2 main types : B lymphocytes and T- lymphocytes .
- What is basophils in WBCs ?
These take up basic stains such as methylene blue . They are fairly large and have nearly S- shaped nucleus and a few coarse granules . Granules contain histamine . The basophils release histamine and heparin by exocytosis into the blood .
- What is eosinophils in WBCs ?
These stain acidic dyes such as eosin . They are also fairly large and have bilobed nucleus and abundant coarse granules. The latter contain hydrolytic enzymes and peroxidase which are discharge into the phagosome . The eosinophils have antihistamine properties . Their number increases in people with allergic conditions such as asthma or hayfever . They also help in dissolving blood clot.
- What is neutrophils in WBCs ?
These stain equally well with both basic and acidic dyes. They are quite large and have many- lobed nucleus and abundant fine , azurophilic granules . The latter represent lysosomes with hydrolytic enzymes. The eosinophils are phagocytic in action. They engulf microbes . They are chemotactically attracted to bacterial peptidase .
Function of White blood cells
(a) Soldiers :-
(b) Builders :-
(c) Scavengers :-
Tricks to remember white blood cells
‘ Never Let Monkey Eat Banana’
OR
‘ MoLy BaEoNe ’
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