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| White Blood Cells |
Most of WBCs live for a few hours to a few days.WBCs are classified into two parts –
- Granular white blood cells
- Agranular white blood cells
Granular white blood cells
Those cells are containing specific chemical filled cytoplasmic vesicles that are visible staining when viewed through a light microscope.Granular white blood cells can be classified as follow-
Neutrophil
Neutrophil are neutrophilic or neutral loving. Neutrophil are 60- 70 % of all WBCs. Neutrophol size is about 10-12µm in diameter. Cytoplasm has very fine and contains pale granules. The nucleus has 2 to 5 lobes each lobe connected by thin strands of nuclear material (chromatin).Function of neutrophil
Neutrophil has a vital role in phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is a process of killing bacteria. Kill or destruction of bacterias with lysosomes and strong oxidants such as superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide.Eosinophil
The total number of eosinophil in blood is about 2-4 % of all WBCs. These size are about 10-12µm in diameter. Nucleus has 2 lobes connected with thin strands of nuclear material Eosinophil is large and uniform sized granules. Eosinophil are acidic loving. They granules stain red-orange with acidic dye.Function of eosinophil
- Fight effect of histamine in allergic reactions.
- Destroy certain parasitic worms.
Basophil
Basophil are about 0.5-1% off all WBCs. These size are 8-10µm in diameter. Nucleus has two lobes connected with thin strand of chromatin. Basophil are base loving. They granules stain blue-purple with basic dyes.Functions of basophil
Discharge histamine, heparin and serotonin in allergic reactions which produce inflammatory response.Agranular White blood cells
Granules are not visible under a light microscope because of their poor staining quality and tiny size.These are classified into two part :
Lymphocyte
Lymphocytes are about 20-25% of all WBCs Large lymphocytes are 10-14µm in diameter. Small lymphocytes are 6-9µm in diameter. The nucleus is round and slightly indented. The cytoplasm stains sky blue.Function of lymphocytes
- Natural killer cells attack wide variety of infectious microbes.
- B cells develop into plasma cells which secrete antibodies.
- T cells attack cancer cells, viruses and transplanted tissue cells.
Monocytes
Monocytes are about 3-8% of all WBCs. There are 12-20µm in diameter. Monocyte nucleus is horseshoe or kidney shaped. The cytoplasm stains blue-gray.Function of monocytes
- Phagocytosis.
Type of WBCs | Number | Size | Nucleus | Stains | Functions |
Granular white blood cells 1) Neutrophils 2) Eosinophil 3) Basophil | 60-70% 2-4 % 0.5-1% | 10-12µm 10-12µm 8-10µm | Nucleus has 2-5 lobes connected with thin strands of chromatin Nucleus has 2 lobes connected with thin strands of chromatin Nucleus has two lobes connected with thin strand of chromatin | Pale Red-orange with acidic dye Blue-purple with basic dyes | · Phagocytosis · Destruction of bacterias with lysosomes and strong oxidants such as superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. · Fight effect of histamine in allergic reactions. · Destroy certain parasitic worms. · Discharge histamine, heparin and serotonin in allergic reactions which produce inflammatory response |
Agranular White blood cells 1) Lymphocyte (B cells, T cells and natural killer cells) · Large lymphocyte · Small lymphocyte 2) Monocytes | 20-25% 3-8% | 10-14µm 6-9µm 12-20µm | Nucleus is round and slightly indented Nucleus is horseshoe or kidney shaped | Cytoplasm stains sky blue Cytoplasm stains blue-gray | · Natural killer cells attack wide variety of infectious microbes. · B cells develop into plasma cells which secrete antibodies. · T cells attack cancer cells, viruses and transplanted tissue cells. · Phagocytosis |
